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For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
 
The above is 1 Thessalonians 4:15, Paul first speaking by “the word of the LORD” in him as the LORD’s manifested presence, and then speaking of those who like him will be left, permeated with the life of the LORD alive in them. His sentence ends saying those who remain in a mortal state shall not understand we, those of us here with the life of Christ in us, have already risen from the dead.
 
This is the idea the risen LORD speaks of in John 21, saying, “22 Jesus said unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? follow you me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? 24 This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.”
 
Here is the truth that all those who say they “know” and “understand” are afraid to tell, because they haven’t heard or listened to the LORD speaking. We are the dead, those who have died in the LORD, and therefore have not been left in corruption, though we are now brought to life in the old world of Sheol. We are here to awaken those the LORD in Paul describes, as the sleeping, using the Greek word written in the original text as koimethentas, from the words koimao, (coma) meaning a sleep-like state; and thnetos, meaning liable to die – mortal.
 
The word rendered above as “prevent” is the seven times used Greek word phthano, a word constructed to mean to affirm the death or end (phemi + thnetos or thano). Paul is saying it doesn’t come by us, but rather as the LORD entered into us and raised us to life, so shall He with the sleeping.
 
1 Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
 
Friends, this word I preach and teach is the LORD in me preaching and teaching deliverance from the death this world teaches. It is the salvation and the presence of the LORD Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 2, coming to those who have received the word he spoke as the word of God, as it is. “13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.” Paul continues to tell of those, the sleeping he later refers to, who were resisting the truth, who those now living were losing hope would ever see and hear the word as they have. This is the topic of his later words, pasted above from chapter 4, urging them not to lose hope because the LORD would come to them also raising them up with the living. Those who were already alive, risen from among those who have corrupted the word of God, who have put on immortality, are those Paul then speaks of as being in the presence of the LORD at His coming. Paul says seeing this glory, the LORD’s glory now in them, was His joy, as you are mine. “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.”
 
Ephesians 5
14 Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light [understanding].
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the LORD is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the LORD the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
 
When Paul, above in verse 14, speaks of this awakening and rising from the dead, He is paraphrasing Isaiah 60: 1 & 2. Friends, these words are the LORD speaking to you, not as a metaphor, but in reality, you are in His presence at His coming. His is the voice Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, spoken by the archangel as the trumpet of God, which He sends to awaken the sleeping, to raise them and join them, together with us, to Himself.
 
Isaiah 60
1 Arise, shine; for your light [understanding] is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For, behold, the darkness [confusion and ignorance of God] shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. [Therefore we leave behind those who have brought us up as children and we join ourselves to the LORD. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.]
3 And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your 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 your 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.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian [of those who have caused strife] and Ephah [and caused the gloom that covers the earth]; all they from Sheba [all those who the LORD has promised] shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
7 All the flocks of Kedar [of darkness – the confused and ignorant] shall be gathered together unto you, the rams of Nebaioth [the rulers in the high places of the earth] shall minister unto you: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows [as one who signifies and declares the end]?
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish [those who have fled from their responsibility to call the world to repentance] first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD your God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister unto you: for in my wrath I smote you, but in my favor have I had mercy on you.
11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto you the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
13 The glory of Lebanon [purification] shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons also of them that afflicted you shall come bending unto you; and all they that despised you shall bow themselves down at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you; The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. [Hebrews 12:… 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 speaks 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.]
15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through you, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
16 You shall also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shall suck the breast of kings: and you shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make your officers peace, and your exactors righteousness.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land, wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
19 The sun [the church] shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon [civil government] give light unto you: but the LORD shall be unto you an everlasting light [understanding], and your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no more go down; neither shall your moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21 Your people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
 
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: you shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves.
7 For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the LORD God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
 
Friends, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 10:14, uses the word phthano to describe the gospel we preach, the full unaltered message of Christ, as the extent of our reach. He is saying this is all the LORD has authorized us to do, preach the word as His archangel, blowing the trumpet calling the sleeping to awaken. It is then up to the LORD to determine who will receive it, first realizing they are dead without Him, and to then set a course with Him to be born again by a renewed minds, and thereby quickened into full maturity.
 
2 Corinthians 10
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the LORD has given us for edification [for educating], and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far [phthano – come as far – where you realized you were dead without Christ in you] as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged [grow into maturity] by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glories, let him glory in the LORD.
18 For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the LORD commends.
 
The word phthano is used in Matthew 12:28 and Luke 11:20, as the LORD says the kingdom of God unknowingly “is come” to those who have seen Him cast out demons by the finger of God. The passage begins as He is doing so, and when they were cast out the dumb spoke. He then describes the divided kingdom not standing, and this division under the devil as what has caused the desolation. These places where the division is apparent, the divided body, are the places He then speaks of as those where people go after He has cast out the demons. There they are infested with seven spirits of the errors that have caused the divisions and desolation, and their latter state is worse than the first, because now they think they are right when inwardly now possessed by even greater errors, partial truths, and ignorance.
 
Luke 11
…And lead us not into temptation [lead us not into denying your presence]; but deliver us from evil [deliver us from those who so deny it].
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit [who will come along side and lead you into all truth until Christ is formed in you] to them that ask him?
14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spoke; and the people wondered.
15 But some of them said, He casts out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls.
18 If Satan [the spirit in those resisting and opposing the LORD at His coming] also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come [phthano – where you have heard that you are dead without Christ] upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathers [into one body joined to the LORD] not with me scatters.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone [has been cast out] out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house [the tombs {churches}] whence I came out.
25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished.
26 Then goes he, and taketh to him [furnishes his mind with] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
 
Paul uses the word phthano in Romans 9:31 where it is translated as “attained” as he speaks of Israel, God’s people who think they are the true believers, zealous but without the knowledge of God. He is not saying they haven’t attained to the law of righteousness, but rather they haven’t come to the point of admitting that by it they are dead and without Christ, because they lack faith. This lack is what he then describes as their stumbling at the stumbling stone, the rock that offends them, the voice they should be hearing and understanding.
 
Romans 9
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.
17 For the scripture says unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore has he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
19 You will say then unto me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who are you that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?
21 Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he says also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Isaias also cried concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the LORD make upon the earth.
29 And as Isaiah said before, Except the LORD of Sabaoth [of the armies of heaven] had left us a seed [an elect remnant], we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrah.
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained [phthano] to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone;
33 As it is written [in Isaiah 28:16], Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling-stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed [shall not be disappointed by what they were told about the end not coming into reality – as these others who’ve followed fables will].
 
Isaiah 28
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
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 Sheol [sha’al – those who demand God act as they demand – be silent so they can speak] 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 Sheol [silencing God] 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.
20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
 
Psalms 91
1 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come nigh you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet.
14 Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
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Wherefore He says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light [understanding].

Wherefore He says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light [understanding].

The titles is Ephesians 5:14, and all the chapter following is speaking of this very point, ending telling of Christ, God in us, coming to perform this work. He joining with us, by His word washes away all of what has clouded our minds into sleep, and through understanding, we are quickened and raised from the dead.

Ephesians 5

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the LORD is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the LORD the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

John 2:7 Jesus said unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Traveling the next few days, so something different: explore all the places John in the book of John speaks of water.  Read them in the context of the above, understanding this cleansing and raising to life is what is spoken of in every case.

Here are the verse where this water, hudropikos, is mentioned: John 1:26, 31, 33; 2:7 & 9 (x 2); 3:5 & 23; 4:7, 10, 11. 13, 14 (x 3), 15, & 46; 5:3, 4 (x 2), & 7; 7:38; 13:5, and 19:34.

Psalms 63

1 O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2 To see your power and your glory, so as I have seen you in the sanctuary.

3 Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

4 Thus will I bless you while I live: I will lift up my hands in your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips:

6 When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches.

7 Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.

8 My soul follows hard after you: your right hand upholds me.

9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that swears by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

 

 

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Leaving Our Anchorage, We Sail Into the Bosom of Abraham, Abandoning the Old Ways of Ministering, We, As Jonah, Find Shore and Our Place as the Stars of Heaven.

Leaving Our Anchorage, We Sail Into the Bosom of Abraham, Abandoning the Old Ways of Ministering, We, As Jonah, Find Shore and Our Place as the Stars of Heaven.
 
Acts 27
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.
32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it was day [when the light of understanding had come], they knew not the land [they didn’t re-cognize this was the destination where God hasn’t been heard]: but they discovered a certain creek [the bosom of Abraham] with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors [left the place of their anchorage], they committed themselves unto the sea [to the people of the tumultuous world], and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail [lifted up Christ, where all could see Him – as Moses lifted the serpent] to the wind, and made toward shore [the beginning of their new ministry – our purpose].
41 And falling into a place where two seas met [as in Exodus 15:10, speaking of Exodus 14:19 thru 31 {see below} as the aft part of the ship {the old establishments that have held us captive} that is broken off], they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast [the foundational teaching remains], and remained unmoveable, but the hinder [aft] part was broken with the violence of the waves [the continued tumult of the agitated masses].
42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners [those held captive in the old ideas/idols of the established orders now become disorderes], lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
 
Exodus 14
17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drove them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
 
Friends, the corrupted establishments, the degenerate thinking of the popular culture, teaches only manipulation and violence as solution and then claims it is modern love. They manipulate others to perpetrate violence against those whose achievement they falsely accuse has harmed them. The only crime of their victims is their achievement above the more primitive ideas of their accusers. Now, as these men’s (the progressives and fable tellers, both those who promise a utopia they can’t deliver) ideas fail, they use those they’ve made drunk, and then put to sleep with their fairytales, as a mindless mob they deploy against all trying to reform to more sane policies and a foundation of reality.
 
These are the patterns we have seen in our discussions of Joshua and Zerubbabel, the purified church and political bodies, as ministers of Jehovah’s deliverance and salvation and statesmen who’ve come out of the old corrupted methods of manipulation, which have caused the nation’s and world’s deluded chaos. Both the old systems rely on a show, what the LORD calls lying signs and wonders, meaning no matter how failed the policy and means, they are portrayed by their purveyors as successful. (Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.)
 
This last aspect is the underlying factor in the Trump phenomena – abandoning blind allegiance to ideas that have failed, and a refusal to call obvious failure success. It is true in border security, immigration policy, trade, tax policy, spending, and government expansionism. In the church, it is as true in matters of the life of the unborn, marriage, gender confusion, and how the Commandments should influence us to influence policy of all the afore mentioned.
 
We are the light in the pillar of cloud by day, understanding know but not yet fully comprehended by those ignorant of the source of the light. This is the mission of the church, to fully explain the deeper (underlying) cause and effect of erroneous thinking on the peace and security of all men equally. Teaching from the source, learned in experience, in the law of nature and the law of the God of nature, the Spirit in these self-evident truths; both of which existed before all else and will exist after it.
 
We are also the pillar of fire in the night when understanding has left the world in darkness, sent as the raw truth that sets fire to the ideas that have replaced it. It is fire and brimstone that should come through us from heaven, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
 
Friends, the LORD is alive in us, here, now. He has given us the power to rule this world, justly in His name, and the charge to do so. “This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts [the LORD of the Armies of Heaven].”
 
Jude
…Behold, the LORD comes with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. [2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.]
17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our LORD Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
 
Ezekiel 20
29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto you go? And the name whereof is called Bamah [the high places, the waves upon which the LORD walks] unto this day.
30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the LORD God; Are you polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit you whoredom after their abominations?
31 For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the LORD God, I will not be enquired of by you.
32 And that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, that you say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
33 As I live, says the LORD God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, says the LORD God.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am the LORD.
39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the LORD God; Go you, serve you every one his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not hearken unto me: but pollute you my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, says the LORD God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first-fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
42 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
43 And there shall you remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein you have been defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.
44 And you shall know that I am the LORD when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O you house of Israel, says the LORD God.
45 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
46 Son of man, set your face toward the south, and drop your word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus says the LORD God; Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
48 And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49 Then said I, Ah LORD God! they say of me, Does he not speak parables?
 
Friends, the Bamah in verse 29 above is the word bamah, meaning elevation, and in only used this one time as a proper name. It is speaking of the highest seat of power and authority, where only the LORD should be sitting. It is the judgment seat from where the LORD separates the ideas men have created and added to his truth, from His truth. It is as in separating the aft part of the ship from the portion that is immovable in the bosom of Abraham. It is where He removes the corrupted ideas from the incorruptible, the ideas in men who now chase after us to brings us back into captivity from where the LORD’s truth has freed us. Now, these ideas all culminate in the LORD bringing us from death into life, quickening our minds to and by His truth. These are the waters, His word, which we know well as those Peter spoke of in 2 Peter 3, saying, “the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
 
Friends, hear the mystery of the Bamah; which tells of the LORD walking on the waters, upon the tops of the waves of the storm, which the ideas of corruption have caused in the people of the world. It tells us the LORD has come walking on the waves, His high places, to call us out of the ship to Him in these heights.
 
It begins with the foundational truth Job knew, and states in Job 9:8, which he then quickly follows with telling of even his ignorance of God moving, as if Peter sinking into the sea (“hold on”).
 
Job 9
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and has prospered?
5 Which removes the mountains, and they know not: which overturns them in his anger.
6 Which shakes the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7 Which commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars.
8 Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves [bamah – the high places] of the sea.
9 Which makes Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south [see Job 38 below – with context surrounding verses 7, 31 & 32 – of who influences these people to rise as light in heaven – Who calls them out of the boat?].
10 Which does great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
11 Lo, he goes by me, and I see him not: he passes on also, but I perceive him not.
 
Matthew 14
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening [darkness] was come, he was there alone. [John 16:32 Behold, the hour comes, yea, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.]
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves [by the confusion of men sitting in the LORD’s high places]: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, LORD, if it be you, bid me come unto you on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth you are the Son of God.
 
Earlier in Mathew 8:24 we are told of another time when the LORD was still with them, and He and the disciples were in a ship in a tempest. There we know the LORD was asleep: wakened by His friends as they feared they would be lost in the storm. We know the LORD awakens and calms the storm. The word there rendered “tempest” is from the Greek word seismos, a word used thirteen other times, all translated as “earthquake.” As we have seen in prior discussions, the word seio tells of the shaking; seismos is describing the underlying cause of it, and here as the source of the agitation of the sea.
 
Matthew 8
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest [seismos] in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves [the same corrupt ideas of the men sitting in the high place – in the LORD’s seat]: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, LORD, save us: we perish.
26 And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs [the churches and the political establishment], exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God? are you come hither to torment us before the time?
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If you cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
 
The above ending is the response we can expect (have experienced) from those who now make their living from the unclean beasts in whom now resides the demons. The cause of the agitation, the tempestuous sea, which concurs with the story that follows, is spiritual wickedness in high places, in unreasonable (atopos) and wicked men sitting in the LORD’s seat over His people, opposing Him and the love of His truth.
 
Ephesians 6
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 
1 Thessalonians 2
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but 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 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 the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
 
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 [received as the word of God, as it is]:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [atopos] and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
 
Isaiah defines these wicked men, those who think they are gods and sit in His seat: the bamah over God’s people.
 
Isaiah 14
9 Sheol from beneath is moved for you to meet you at your coming: it stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones [the mighty men] of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10 All they shall speak and say unto you, Are you also become weak as we? are you become like unto us?
11 Your pomp is brought down to the grave [Sheol], and the noise of your viols: the worm is spread under you, and the worms cover you [as the trash in the Gehenna fires].
12 How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer [from the word halal, meaning to make a show, as if they are the light – as in the working of Satan {those who resist God’s word and work}, with lying signs and wonders], son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! [2 Corinthians 11: 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.]
13 For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights [bamah] of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see you shall narrowly look upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man [are these the men – led by this spirit of demons] that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms [the underlying cause of the agitation];
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
 
Job 38
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? [they are corrupt men with their own ideas sitting the seat of God.]
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,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed?
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring 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; and they stand as a garment.
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?
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, 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,
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 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?
35 Can 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?
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?
41 Who provides for the raven [those covered in darkness] his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat [this deeper understanding – see Acts 27:33 thru 36 above].
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“Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (And the world neither sees nor hears anything. Hold on.)

“Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (And the world neither sees nor hears anything. Hold on.)
 
As we saw in the prior post, the above is Hebrews 12:26 and is the LORD telling of His shaking the wicked out of not only the earth but also heaven. There we see it is the voice speaking from heaven, which is before referred to in verse 22 as heavenly Jerusalem where the elect remnant has been corrected and quickened into becoming His children, whose voice has shaken the earth and is now telling of shaking heaven also.
 
Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with [perikeimai – all around or through laid; elsewhere rendered “hanged” about the neck and “bound” to with a chain – here meaning now connected with all those before us, {“God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” Hebrews 11:40}, and after us, in heavenly Jerusalem] so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us [prokeimai – before us, it was laid out – predetermined events, as in God’s plan],
2 Looking [aphoroa – only used here – meaning to remove (doubt) by studying the experience – thoroughly discerning] unto [into] 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 [analogizomai – only used here – meaning to raise your thoughts and reasoning, to contemplate] 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 chastening [correction] of the LORD, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:
6 For whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourges [disciplines] 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 chastens 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 chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated 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 speaks 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.
 
The word “shake” in verse 26, telling of shaking the earth, is the Greek word seio, which only appears four other times; three in Matthew and once in Revelation, all giving context to the Hebrews’ description. It is rendered “moved” in Matthew 21:10 to tell of Jerusalem shaken (moved) as the LORD entered.
 
Matthew 11
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved [seio], saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hear you what these say? And Jesus said unto them, Yea; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise?
 
Seio is then used to tell of the earthquake as the LORD’s Spirit left Him and went to the Father.
 
Matthew 27
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. [Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.]
51 And, behold, the veil [His flesh] of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom [so the presence of God could be seen by all who could see – the blind and the lame He healed by correction]; and the earth did quake [seio], and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
 
The last appearance of seio in Matthew is in telling of the “shaking” of those guarding to keep the dead in the tomb (their churches), after another earthquake, (because apparently, the first one wasn’t enough to convince them.)
 
Matthew 28
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the LORD descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning [understanding], and his raiment white as snow [pure and true]:
And for fear of him the keepers [of the gates of Sheol] did shake [seio], and became [ginomai – were realized to be] as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the LORD lay [keimai].
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee [the inner circle – into His elect remnant]; there shall you see him: lo, I have told you.
 
The last use of seio is in Revelation 6:13 telling of the stars who fell from heaven, the lost, who fell away as fruit from a tree when it is “shaken” by a mighty wind, the wind of doctrine spoken of in Ephesians 4:14.
 
Ephesians 4
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind [anemos]of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the LORD, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart [reasoning mind]:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
 
Revelation 6
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: [all those who have come before us]
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O LORD, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun [the church without understanding] became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon [civil government without light] became as blood [draining life from men and society];
13 And the stars of heaven [God’s people leavening their fixed positions/ideas – as lights in heaven] fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken [seio] of a mighty wind [anemos].
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
 
Friends, we have been raised for a purpose. We understand the dead world sees and hear nothing because they cannot understand the language of God, neither do they know His character (presence) when they see it before their eyes. These blind leaders of the blind are “They that observe lying vanities” and “forsake their own mercy.”
 
When Hebrews 12:26 tells of the LORD yet once more shaking the earth and the heavens it is quoting Haggai 2:6; verse 7 going on to say this is the LORD filling the house with His glory, which we know is the obvious manifestation of His presence.
 
Haggai is the LORD, through Haggai, speaking to Zerubbabel and Joshua, who we know from Zechariah 3 & 4 are the civil and church leaders, raised and purified.
 
Haggai 1
1 In the second year of Darius [the present generation] the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai [the sacrifice we feast on] the prophet unto Zerubbabel [born by coming out of confusion] the son of Shealtiel [from among those who have petitioned the LORD], governor of Judah [the leaders of God’s people], and to Joshua [Jehovah’s deliverer – Jesus, the church body as one] the son of Josedech {Jehovah’s righteousness – truth and correctness], the high priest, saying,
2 Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.
3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 Is it time for you, O you, to dwell in your cieled houses [refers to Jeremiah 22: 15 Shall you reign, because you close yourself in cedar? did not your father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? says the LORD. 17 But your eyes and your heart are not but for your covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.], and this house lie waste?
5 Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, says the LORD.
9 You looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when you brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? says the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and you run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
11 And I called for a drought [for hearing and understanding the word of God] upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground brings forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands.
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
13 Then spoke Haggai the LORD’s messenger in the LORD’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, says the LORD.
14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
 
Haggai 2
1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work: for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts:
5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so my spirit remains among you: fear you not.
6 For thus says the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, says the LORD of hosts.
10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
11 Thus says the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me [by touching the dead, making death your companion], says the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:
16 Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the press-fat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
17 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you turned not to me, says the LORD.
18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider it.
19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, has not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
23 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, will I take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the LORD, and will make you as a signet: for I have chosen you, says the LORD of hosts.
 
The “signet” above is the Hebrew word chowtham, the “seal” of Job 38:14, which shows the LORD’s authority (signature) as He shakes the wicked from the earth.
 
Job 38
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring 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 [chowtham]; and they stand as a garment [see Haggai 2:12 thru 14 above].
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?
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.
 
The word Haggai uses in Haggai 2:6, 7, and ONCE AGAIN in verse 21, to tell of this shaking, is the Hebrew word ra’ash, which also appears in Nahum 1:5 to tell us, as do all the prophets, this is the earth responding to the known presence of the LORD.
 
Nahum 1
1 The burden of Nineveh [those who don’t know their right hand from their left – ignorant]. The book of the vision of Nahum [comforter] the Elkoshite [those God has ensnared by their own table].
2 God is jealous, and the LORD revenges; the LORD revenges, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath for his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked [who vilify His word and work]: the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers: Bashan [fruitfulness] languishes, and Carmel [in the fenced and protected place, as the garden of Eden], and the flower of Lebanon [purity] languishes.
5 The mountains quake [ra’ash] at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.
8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9 What do you imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10 For while they be folded together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11 There is one come out of you, that imagines evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor [who are the leaders of those who vilify and rebel against this word and work].
12 Thus says the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
13 For now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds in sunder.
14 And the LORD has given a commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown: out of the house of your gods [idols] will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make your grave; for you are vile.
15 Behold upon the mountains [Zion, which is shaking, heavenly Jerusalem, so the wicked will be shaken out of it] the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace! O Judah [my elect remnant], keep your solemn feasts, perform your vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off.
 
The word ra’ash is used by David, in the day (light) the LORD delivered him out of the hand of his enemies. It appears in 2 Samuel 22:8 to tell of the earth “trembling,” and when the foundation of heaven shook. The description intentionally mimics Jonah 2, which those who have faithfully read will recognize. David’s deliverance from his enemies is as Jonah coming from the belly of Sheol.
 
2 Samuel 22
1 And David spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of Sheol compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled [ra’ash]; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful you will shew yourself merciful, and with the upright man you will shew yourself upright.
27 With the pure you will shew yourself pure; and with the froward [those who twist and pervert truth] you will shew yourself unsavory.
28 And the afflicted people you will save: but your eyes are upon the haughty, that you may bring them down.
29 For you are my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
30 For by you I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he make my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet: and sets me upon my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your gentleness has made me great.
37 You have enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For you have girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me have you subdued under me.
41 You have also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people, you have kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avenges me, and that brings down the people under me.
49 And that brings me forth from mine enemies: you also have lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: you have delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto you, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto your name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and shows mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
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Time to Shake the world – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Time to Shake the world – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
 
Continuing today, the LORD beginning with Proverbs 18:21, which is the quote above. The word translated “power” is the Hebrews word yad, meaning and most often rendered hand. The word “love” is the Hebrew word ‘ahab, meaning one you have affection for, or have companionship with, as a friend. It is speaking of the fruit of life and death determined by the one with which you choose to become friends. The choice is in the tongue, words spoken that produce and pronounce the death and life of the speaker.
 
Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself [from Godly wisdom and into his own imagination], seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself [but he seeks to prove his own ideas {self-created reason}].
3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy [dishonor] reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer [like a lying lawyer – and those who induce {suborn} perjury] are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster [mashchiyth – the trap of Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that set snares; they set a trap, they catch men].
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
18 The lot [the decision – ruling] causes contentions to cease, and parts [determines] between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of [are taken and joined with by] the tongue: and they that love [are companion with] it [death and life] shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso finds a wife [what he has looked for] finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich [those who think they have everything and know it all] answers roughly.
24 A man that has friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
 
The quote (Jeremiah 5:26) referenced above in verse 9, is the LORD declaring His judgment against those who have a mind (ideas – heart) set on revolting and rebellion.
 
Jeremiah 5
1 Run you to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if you can find a man, if there be any that executes judgment, that seeks the truth; and I will pardon it.
2 And though they say, The LORD lives; surely they swear falsely.
3 O LORD, are not your eyes upon the truth? you have stricken them, but they have not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
4 Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goes out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
7 How shall I pardon you for this? your children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.
8 They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbor’s wife.
9 Shall I not visit for these things? says the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 Go you up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD’s.
11 For the house of Israel [God’s people at large] and the house of Judah [the leaders of God’s people] have dealt very treacherously against me, says the LORD.
12 They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them [proven as they continue to speak their own words and refuse this word the LORD is sending them]: thus shall it be done unto them.
14 Wherefore thus says the LORD God of hosts, Because you speak this word, behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. [as has their ideas and words, and they knew it not. Isaiah 42: 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.]
15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, says the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you know not, neither understand what they say. [John 8: 43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.]
16 Their quiver is as an open sepulcher [grave], they are all mighty men.
17 And they shall [as locusts] eat up your harvest, and your bread, which your sons and your daughters should eat: they shall eat up your flocks and your herds: they shall eat up your vines and your fig trees: they shall impoverish your fenced cities, wherein you trusted, with the sword. [Psalms 57: 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.]
18 Nevertheless in those days, says the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
19 And it shall come to pass, when you shall say, Wherefore does the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shall you answer them, Like as you have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall you serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
20 Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
22 Fear you not me? says the LORD: will you not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree [again –Job 38: 10 And brake up for it {darkness by understanding} my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed? 12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring 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?], that it [sea – humanity] cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
23 But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that gives rain [His word from heaven], both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserves unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. [2 Peter 3: 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, 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 of ungodly men.]
25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you.
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that sets snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
29 Shall I not visit for these things? says the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end thereof?
 
2 Peter 3
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.
 
Thus says the LORD in me:
 
Nehemiah [the comforter of Jehovah] 2
11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. [in the belly of Sheol {the habitation of the dead} – Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of Sheol cried I, and you heard my voice.]
12 And I arose in the night [unknown in the darkness of confusion], I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. [the donkey – these lowly few faithful – Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey.]
13 And I went out by night [not comprehended in the darkness] by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well [the waters wherein death lurks secretly below its surface, waiting to devour those who drink], and to the dung port [the gate between the death and life – between the trash heap and resurrection], and viewed the walls [what we trust in for our peace and security] of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire [caused by the neglect and corrupted ideas of the keepers].
14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain [to God’s word], and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass [they still could not Passover death because they could not understand the words coming from the fountain].
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook [nachal – Psalms 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way {this word now understood}: therefore shall he lift up the head.], and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews [the elect], nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17 Then said I unto them, You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
19 But when Sanballat [the mighty men] the Horonite [who caused the fires {which burned the gates and destroyed the wall], and Tobiah [who say they are doing the good of Jehovah] the servant, the Ammonite [all the religious sects], and Geshem [who claim they are the receivers of the word of God] the Arabian [who mixed lies with the truth and mired the clarity], heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king [the LORD Jesus Christ]?
20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
 
Friends, the LORD said there will be no sign of His coming other than the call to repent, as Jonah first repented and came from the belly of Sheol. Now has the coming of the LORD occurred, in some of you, in me, His elect remnant; followed by signs and wonders in us, as said the prophet Isaiah after he said Immanuel (God is with us), which none of the wicked of this world see or hear.
 
Jonah 2
1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of Sheol cried I, and you heard my voice.
3 For you had cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all your billows and your waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet have you brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto you, into your holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
10 And the LORD spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
 
Isaiah 8
O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob [hidden only by the ignorance of those still unwittingly wrestling with God and His word] and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? [Should my people be looking] for the Living to the dead [where they will never find Him]?
20 [Or] To the law and to the testimony[?]: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
 
Friends, now before our eyes, the LORD is, by His presence and glory, shaking the wicked out of the world.
 
Joel 3
9 Proclaim you this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all you heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause your mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put you in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17 So shall you know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwells in Zion.
 
The voice of the LORD is the same voice heard now shaking the world, and it sees nothing because they are to busy smearing (disgracing) themselves in dung.
 
Hebrews 12
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 speaks from heaven [from the heavenly Jerusalem spoken of in verse 22]:
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.
 
Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love [Philadelphia] continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels [God’s voice] unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage [joining together] is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled [by the ideas, imaginations of men]: but whoremongers [those who make men their merchandise] and adulterers [those who have been unfaithful and left God for idols] God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
6 So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Psalms 57
1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in you: yea, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over-past.
2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9 I will praise you, O LORD, among the people: I will sing unto you among the nations.
10 For your mercy is great unto the heavens, and your truth unto the clouds.
11 Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens: let your glory be above all the earth.
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Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
 
We preach Christ and Him crucified, at which all men stumble. Friends, the gospel we preach is Christ in us and rejected – because He comes to save the lost who ignorantly don’t know they are in need of saving and correction.
 
The truth we should see manifested before our eyes is Christ and rejection to varying degrees. The culture, the world, accepts antichrist, preaching the easy antigospel, which everyone accepts and extols. Those who have good in their hearts (as the foundation of their reason), and willingly sacrifice to give it, are demonized and raised up for constant ridicule. They are the light in the darkness, stars in the night, and the world, the popular culture, the wicked sitting in the seats of power, hate the light, because their deeds are evil.
 
The best examples of antichrist, those who preach and act to please the relativistic culture, and by this betrayal are accepted and exalted by the world they blind and lead into destruction, are Obama, Francis, and all the “prosperity” and “feel-good” so-called “evangelical” preachers. The world receives them because they have received (become) the world. Now, when Trump is rejected, hated without any cause other than he rejects the prejudices made popular by the culture and the relativistic world, I see Christ in him, holding him up. How many among you have willingly made the sacrifice he has? Now, if this makes me your enemy, so be it. I am not looking for the approval or commendation of man, but of God who has sent me to preach this Salvation, and (willingly, knowingly) be rejected and crucified for it.
 
2 Corinthians 10
1 Now I [Timothy, son of David] myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the LORD has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glories, let him glory in the LORD. [But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the LORD.]
18 For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the LORD commends.
 
Verse 17 above is quoted from Jeremiah 9:24, a chapter speaking of those the world exalts, who have walked in the ways of their own imaginations, by their own ideas, and glory in what they think is their knowledge. This is all the world covering themselves in their flesh minds, the uncircumcision of the earth degenerated into a more primitive state.
 
Jeremiah 9
1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, says the LORD.
4 Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.
5 And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6 Your habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, says the LORD.
7 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?
8 Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he lays his wait.
9 Shall I not visit them for these things? says the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.
11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perishes and is burned up like a wilderness, that none pass through?
13 And the LORD says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart [reasoning mind], and after Baalim [the idols/ideas of this world, which are the lords over their minds], which their fathers taught them:
15 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
17 Thus says the LORD of hosts, Consider you, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
20 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O you women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbor lamentation.
21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.
22 Speak, Thus says the LORD, Even the carcasses of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.
23 Thus says the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the LORD.
25 Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
 
Friend, the modern preaching and the world is all about building up ego, without casting down the ideas that exalt themselves against understanding and knowing God’s ways, the elementary education of the law of nature and nature’s God. The world focuses on distorting and elevating a self-informed, self-centered ego, which is a life controlled by its own ignorance, and while in this state, pride in ignorance, rejecting any other way. This ignorance is also of the id, the inner self, asserting its primitive and natural demands, the inner animal: chaotic, and without foresight unaware. The other, yet unidentified by science because they rejects God, is the Spirit of God in us, dormant as the inner flame, as an internet waiting for a connection to God and all who have even existed or will exist. Once the connection is made, the download begins, and the reacquisition and reevaluation of data occur. Out of chaos comes order: the reformation of the conscience and understanding.
 
The word rendered “Casting down” in 2 Corinthians 10:5 is the Greek word kathaireo, from the words kata, meaning down, and haireomai, meaning to take for oneself, or prefer. It is telling bringing down the ideas men have imagined, as a matter of preference rather than validation. As we know, the law of nature and nature’s God are validated in their repeated outcome, truth proven by the means of being self-evident (self-validating in the experience). This is true science, principles proven facts: verified by their quality of repetition and repeatable results. They are not preferences, or unverified theory, which are merely products of the imagination, and by never producing the imagined outcome, the fact proven is the theory is invalid.
 
The word kathaireo tells of the casting down those things that have been proven to be fictions; and if continued, they, being known invalid, become lies, which can have only one intention if unceasing, to deceive.
 
The word kathaireo, only appearing nine times, is the word used in Acts 13:19, rendered “destroyed” in telling of the nations who occupied the promised land. They were those destroyed so God’s people could inherit the land God promised them, which is a pattern of our time and the invalid ideas that must necessarily be cast down.
 
Acts 13
16 Then [Timothy, son of David] stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel [the whole house of God], and you that fear God, give audience.
17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed [kathaireo] seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
23 Of this man’s seed has God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus:
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down [kathaireo] from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher [they cast Him down thinking His ideas were His imagination].
30 But God raised him from the dead [verifying His ideas were valid and His accuser ignorant of God’s/His word]:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God has fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he has raised up Jesus again [repeating and self-verifying]; as it is also written in the second psalm, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David [the son raised to rule as David].
35 Wherefore he says also in another psalm, You shall not suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses [which was our elementary education].
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
 
The word kathaireo is used in Luke 1:52 to tell of LORD who has “put down” the mighty from their seats, and raised up those of low degree.
 
Luke 1
46 And Mary [exalted without mighty men, because of their rebellion] said, My soul does magnify the LORD,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior [therefore she would bring forth the son, Jehovah’s Salvation personified: Jesus].
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. [Blessed is he, are they, that come in the name of the LORD.]
51 He has shewed strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down [kathaireo] the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich [those who think they have everything and know it all] he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
 
These last verses are referring to what is written in verse 72 & 73 where Micah 7:20 is quoted, which tell of the LORD coming to save His fallen people.
 
Luke 1
67 And his father Zechariah [mouth now opened – see the prior post] was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people,
69 And has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the LORD to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring [light flowing from heaven] from on high has visited us,
79 To give light [understanding] to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide [teach – make fully straight] our feet into the way of peace.
 
Micah 7 (in the context of the above)
1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape-gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first-ripe fruit.
2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge [fruit that will not be gathered by the LORD, rather is good for nothing except burning]: the day of your watchmen and your visitation comes; now shall be their perplexity [confusion].
5 Trust you not in a friend, put you not confidence in a guide [the teachers of this corrupted age]: keep the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom [the idols you have joined with].
6 For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house [by confusion God’s people are their own enemies].
7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness [confusion], the LORD shall be a light [understanding] unto me.
9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light [understanding], and I shall behold his righteousness [correctness and truth].
10 Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD your God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets [corruption {muddied, unclear ideas} of her ways].
11 In the day that your walls [strength and protection] are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed [speaking of Job 38:10, see below, which tells of the limit man has reached, and will progress no further – which is here removed at the beginning of the next age].
12 In that day also he shall come even to you from Assyria [from the communists], and from the fortified cities [from where they trusted], and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.
14 Feed your people with your rod, the flock of your heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
15 According to the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things.
16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of you.
18 Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retains not his anger for ever, because he delights in mercy.
19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
20 You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
 
Job 38
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this [who are these men] that darken [confuse] 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 [a protective wrapping] for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed?
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring 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 [what validates it]; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light [understanding] is withheld, and the [by not understanding there works] high arm shall be broken.
16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea [the water {word} that flow to the people]? or have you walked in the search of the depth [what lies below it surface]?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? [Has God given you the keys to do so?]
18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you know it all.
19 Where is the way where light [understanding] dwells? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That you should take it to the bound thereof, 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 {word reserved} in heaven]
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 [is divided and understanding appeared], 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 [the sound of the light];
26 To cause it to rain [these water to flow from heaven as this latter 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 [to bring new life]?
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 [as in Exodus 17:1 thru 7], and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons? [Can you bring the sons of God to light in the heavens?]
33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send lightnings [understanding that shows God is in you?], 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?
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?
41 Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat [because what they are being fed has caused them and the world to stagnate – they need this meat, the deeper things of God].
 
Psalms 105
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk you of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O you seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He has remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
11 Saying, Unto you will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, and that without number,
35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people;
45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise you the LORD.
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These things says He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens:

These things says He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens:
 
The title is from Revelation 3:7 and is the beginning of the LORD’s words to the church of Philadelphia. He speaks of the key of David as what opens and shuts, a reference to Isaiah 22:22, which speaks of the same words and thereby gives us its meaning.
 
Revelation 3
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;
8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews [who say they are the true believers and entitled to God’s kingdom], and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.
12 Him that overcomes [see 1 John 5:4 & 5 below] will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
The word translated “key” in verse 7 is the six times used Greek word kleis, from the word kleio, which is the word rendered “shuts” twice in the same verse. The verse following defines the opening as to those who kept His word and have not denied His name. It is speaking of what we now understand is the LORD manifesting His presence in His word, to those who have not denied is His presence preaching Jehovah’s Salvation: Jesus. It is John referring us to the LORD’s words in John 14, where He defines the role of the Father [sending His word – the source for the light], Son [speaking His word – the light], and the Holy Spirit [teaching by leading to understanding – the witness of/to the light]. “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will SEND IN MY NAME, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
 
We know from Revelation 1:18 the LORD also holds the keys of death, which bring to life those who have not denied Him when He comes in those He has sent in His name, to lead His people in through this open door (into all truth). “18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hades and of death.” He is speaking of understanding as what opens the grave and brings the dead out of its abode (contrasting it to John 14:23 above).
 
John 5
24 Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that bears witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true.
33 You sent unto John, and he [the Holy Spirit in him] bare witness unto the truth. [this portion is speaking of what John says in 1 John 5 {see below} describing the two witnesses – in heaven and on earth.]
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that you might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
41 I receive not honor from men.
42 But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.
44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.
46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?
 
1 John 5
1 Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes [see Revelation 3:12 above] the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
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.
11 And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
 
This brings us once again to ask what has caused the understanding to be removed (truth shut up). The LORD gives us the first part of this answers in Matthew 16 when we are told of Peter knowing He is the Son and the LORD giving Him the keys to the kingdom. This is followed immediately by the LORD defining the “blood” aspect, which John defines above as one of the three parts of the witness in the earth. The blood is the sacrifice, the price to be paid by any who knows and confess the Son, knowing what Peter hadn’t yet fully comprehended. He wouldn’t understand until after the LORD was resurrected in Him, what the LORD understood by the life of God in Him; that all who come in this name, the LORD alive in them, will be rejected and suffer for their witness: the living waters flowing from them. This is the full message (euaggelion) of Christ, against which the gates of Hades will not stand shut.
 
Matthew 16
15 He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God [“and have not denied my name”].
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon [hearing – what he has been told by the Spirit] Barjona [son of Jonah – the first to rise from the belly of Sheol]: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, LORD: this shall not be unto you.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get you behind me, Satan [resisting the work and word of God]: you are an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
 
The LORD, in Matthew 23:13, uses the word kleio to tell of the scribes and Pharisees (the divided religious sects), who have shut up the kingdom of heaven.
 
Matthew 23
1 Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master [kathegetes – guide – teacher], even Christ; and all you are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be you called masters [kathegetes – teacher]: for one is your Master [kathegetes – only used these three times], even Christ [the Spirit of God in man].
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [this passage is referring to what John says in Revelation 19:10, saying, “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.”]
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut [kleio] up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of Gehenna than yourselves. [preaching their own kingdoms – not the full gospel of Christ]
Luke 11 uses the word kleio in verse 7 to describe when the door is “shut” in this way, by the teaching of the religious sects and it removing understanding. He prefaces this with the LORD’s pray, it ending with “lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil,” meaning teach us so we will not deny your presence (the temptation – Exodus 7:1 thru 7), but deliver us from those who do. This aspect is the point of the parable that follows, which is understood as it says He will answer (teach us – open) if we ask Him, as in the example of His prayer.
 
Luke 11
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, LORD, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit [to guide them into all truth] to them that ask him?
 
Later in Luke 11, after the religious leaders call Him Beelzebub [the lord of the trash heap {Gehenna}], and vilify the work of the Holy Spirit in Him; after they ask for a sign and He tells them the only sign will be the sign (call to repent) of Jonah (when he comes from the belly of Sheol); after He tells them to cleanse the inside of men rather than making the outside clean, and tells them their churches are as tombs housing the dead; the LORD uses the word kleis to say it is the lawyers (those who define the law) who have taken away the key of knowledge.
 
Luke 11
44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are as graves [which hold the dead in their ideas] 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 Zechariah 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 [kleis] 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 the mouth of understanding of God’s people is, in ending Ezekiel 16, said to be shut up by their abominations. The chapter begins with the LORD telling the son of man to show Jerusalem her abominations, which have caused her desolation.
 
Ezekiel 16
58 You have borne your lewdness and your abominations, says the LORD.
59 For thus says the LORD God; I will even deal with you as you have done, which have despised the oath in breaking the covenant [and left the LORD for idols – the creations {ideas and advice} of men].
60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish unto you an everlasting covenant.
61 Then you shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder and your younger: and I will give them unto you for daughters, but not by your covenant. [the covenant you have made with death and Sheol – Isaiah 28:14 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 Sheol 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 Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it. 19 From the time that it goeth 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.]
62 And I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that I am the LORD: [Jeremiah 31: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.]
63 That you may remember, and be confounded [realize your confusion], and never open your mouth any more because of your shame [of not reaching the end your false prophets have seen by their abominations], when I am pacified toward you for all that you have done, says the LORD God.
 
In Ezekiel 29 the LORD tells of when He has accomplished this work, after he has destroyed the rivers of Egypt: the information flowing from our captors, which caused and now keeps us captive. The LORD says He will give them into the hand of their own false prophesies, their false rock in which they rely: the lies that have caused the desolation, and their own confusion (Babylon) turned delusion shall consume them.
 
The LORD says, in that day He will open our mouths, and these captors shall know He is the LORD.
 
Ezekiel 29
13 Yet thus says the LORD God; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:
14 And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros [the place of the LORD’s interpretation], into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.
15 It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
16 And it shall be no more the confidence [the {false} rock] of the house of Israel, which brings their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the LORD God.
17 And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
18 Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar [the lies of the false prophets that caused the desolation] king of Babylon [the reign of confusion] caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus [the false rock in which they rely]: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
19 Therefore thus says the LORD God; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
20 I have given him the land of Egypt [the captivity] for his labor wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, says the LORD God.
21 In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give you the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
 
Isaiah 22
1 The burden of the valley of vision. What ails you now, that you are wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 You that are full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: your slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
3 All your rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in you are bound together, which have fled from far.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labor not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of trouble [confusion], and of treading down, and of perplexity by the LORD God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
6 And Elam [what was hidden long ago] bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir [wall – the same word as in verse 5] uncovered the shield.
7 And it shall come to pass, that your choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate [the gate shut by ignorance and confusion].
8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and you did look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest [the mighty men of the earth].
9 You have seen also the breaches [created by abominations: the lies of the false prophets and the misleading of false teachers] of the city of David, that they are many: and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool [the water that flows under the city].
10 And you have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have you broken down to fortify the wall [devoured widows’ houses].
11 You made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but you have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago [see verse 6].
12 And in that day did the LORD God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die, says the LORD God of hosts.
15 Thus says the LORD God of hosts, Go, get you unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna [those who have build their own kingdoms], which is over the house, and say,
16 What have you here? and whom have you here, that you have hewed you out a sepulcher here, as he that hews him out a sepulcher on high, and that graven an habitation for himself in a rock?
17 Behold, the LORD will carry you away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover you.
18 He will surely violently turn and toss you like a ball into a large country: there shall you die [see verse 14], and there the chariots of your glory shall be the shame of your LORD’s house.
19 And I will drive you from your station, and from your state shall he pull you down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim [who God raise] the son of Hilkiah [whose inheritance is Jehovah – in them]:
21 And I will clothe him with your robe, and strengthen him with your girdle, and I will commit your government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David [truth and understanding] will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place [he shall be relyable]; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
25 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place [who they have relied on] be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD has spoken it.
 
This vision is of the things hidden long ago, the word of God, “kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” The word vision is from the Hebrew word chizzayown, meaning and ecstatic state or revelation, as opposed to the shame and disappointment of the enemies of truth.
 
Zechariah 13
13 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
2 And it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, You shall not live; for you speak lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesies.
4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision [chizzayown], when he has prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in your hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
7 Awake, O sword [this word of God, reserved from this time], against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, says the LORD of hosts: smite the [false] shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones [to gather them from where they have been scattered].
8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, says the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
 
Job 33
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision [chizzayown] of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed;
16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draws near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things works God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
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Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [our elementary education] to bring us unto Christ [the continuing education of the Spirit], that we might be justified [made right/correct] by faith [in God ordering our mind by His Spirit – presence].

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [our elementary education] to bring us unto Christ [the continuing education of the Spirit], that we might be justified [made right/correct] by faith [in God ordering our mind by His Spirit – presence].
 
The above is Galatians 3:24, and speaks of the law as only revealing sins (errors in actions and ideas), which we see further defined in chapter 4 as under the elements (stoicheion) of the world: the things we only knew by natural means.
 
Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be LORD of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements [stoicheion] of the world:
4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts [into your reasoning mind], crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ [receiving His Spirit into your mind].
8 Howbeit then, when you knew not God, you did service unto them which by nature are no gods [the mighty men of this age].
9 But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements [stoicheion – the ideas of corrupted men], whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?
 
These men are weak as the law is weak: they can never take away error in the mind (conscience), which are and is the foundation of acts of error (sin) against God and man. The further education is to alter the conscience and replace it with the mind of Christ that removes the sin nature: the primitive reflex: action without rightly ordered consideration of consequence.
 
We know, these elements degenerated (into law without justice) are those Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 3; the corrupted foundational (elementary) ideas of men, which melt away in the fires they themselves create. He there tells of our looking for a new world, wherein dwells righteousness (correct, sound, well thought out ideas), which we learn through first our Godly elementary education, and further as we grow [auzano] in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is what necessarily frees us from the bondage under the corrupted ideas of these reprobate men.
 
2 Peter 3
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night [in the darkness created by these men’s ideas]; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – these men’s corrupted ideas that control their thinking, and blinds the minds of those following them] 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 [light] of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas and idols] 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 wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before [proginosko – were foreordained with this knowledge], beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow [auzano] in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
 
Paul, in Romans 3 tells us the law is learned so all the world, all men, would see they are guilty and in need of learning. So, they would also, at this time, see God sent His son to willingly pay the price needed to buy us out of our errors, and now understand He is Spirit in man as Christ; the same Spirit that is Jesus Christ, doing the same work (preaching Jehovah’s message of Salvation).
 
Romans 3
1 What advantage then has the Jew [the believers]? or what profit is there of circumcision [those who have kept the law]?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles [logion – the utterances] of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend [suniemi – sets together – introduces] the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance [which is His righteousness {correctness in His correction} brought to light]? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie [referring to verse 4 – to shows how God uses error to show His power in the manifestation of truth – 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.] unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles [believers and unbelievers], that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God [for understanding].
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that EVERY MOUTH may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through [our] faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
 
The oracles (logion) of God Paul mentions in verse 2 above, are defined in Hebrews 5, first in verse 12 as the first principles, from the word stoicheon showing us they are foundational elements. We then see them described as the milk, which we saw in the previous post refers to the elementary education, which must come before the meat: the deeper ideas below the surface, hidden by ignorance. These are what we have tasted here, which is the power of God to change our minds and lead us into perfection: the knowledge that reveals His presence in the preacher, and then in us.
 
(Before going on I must say again – these are not things I have figured out. They are ideas that existed in the void and are only now revealed by the power of God in me. Colossians 2: 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.)
 
Hebrews 5
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, You are my Son, to day have I begotten you.
6 As he says also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles [stoicheion] of the oracles [logion] of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
 
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 [which now appear by the power of God and His latter rain], 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.
The word logion appears two other times, the first in Acts 7:38 as Stephen tells of the lively oracles (the living word) received in the wilderness by Moses. In saying this, he also quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 speaking of the prophet like him (Moses), who the LORD would raise up, and who the people would hear.
 
Acts 7
35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the LORD your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear.
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles [logion] to give unto us:
39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
43 Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch [who required you to sacrifice your children in his fires, in the place which became Gehenna, the burning trash heap outside the city], and the star of your god Remphan [in who is not life], figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon [confusion – Amos 5:27 here quoted, says Damascus, which we know means silence of work, from words meaning tears and drunkenness].
44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus [Joshua – Jehovah’s deliverer] into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
46 Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon built him a house.
48 Howbeit the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet,
49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? says the LORD: or what is the place of my rest?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?
51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
 
The above is the power of God demonstrated and ends telling of the consistent response of the wicked sitting in His seats, showing (apodeiknumi – trying to prove) themselves as if they are Him. Their disguise lacks only a few things: God’s presence, power, character, truth, knowledge, wisdom, strength, justice, mercy, charity,…
 
1 Corinthians 2
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 searcheth 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.
 
The word rendered “demonstration,” in verse 4 above, is the Greek word apodeixis, which is only used this one time. It means manifestation, here of the Spirit and the power of God. It is from the word apodeiknumi, meaning to show or prove.
 
The last time logion is used it is by Peter in 1 Peter 4:11, telling of only speaking the utterances of God, giving them as He has given. Friends, I tell you again, as the LORD has told me, “if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
 
1 Peter 4
1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles [logion] of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
 
Isaiah 8
O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O you people, and you shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all you of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
11 For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwells in mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? [Should they be looking] for the living to the dead?
20 [Or] To the law and to the testimony[?]: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
 
Psalms 71
1 In you, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in your righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline your ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be you my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: you have given commandment to save me; for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For you are my hope, O LORD God: you are my trust from my youth.
6 By you have I been held up from the womb: you are he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of you.
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but you are my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
11 Saying, God has forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise you more and more.
15 My mouth shall shew forth your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the LORD God: I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours only.
17 O God, you have taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed your strength unto this generation, and your power to every one that is to come.
19 Your righteousness also, O God, is very high, who have done great things: O God, who is like unto you!
20 You, which have shewed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God: unto you will I sing with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto you; and my soul, which you have redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of your righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
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If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
 
The above is 2 Corinthians 4:3 & 4, which, by our studies, we understand the meanings of the similitudes therein used. By them, we see the meanings hidden below the surface of the waters, in the deep darkened as it describes. We know from the chapter before, it is turning to the LORD that removes this veil of confusion: by His Spirit preaching the full message of Christ (God in the preacher, and then in the receiver – face to face, glory to glory), turning us away from those who are the cause and keepers of the darkness.
 
Friends, without Holy Spirit guided studies: the LORD manifesting His presence in the preacher, it is impossible to enter the kingdom of God. The others, those blinded by the false Christs of this age, who claim the Holy Spirit is in them, but by their words and works prove He isn’t. Those following them may develop zeal, but lacking the knowledge of God, and as He is teaching and correcting their errors, they, rather than repent and follow Him, go about trying to prove they are right.
 
The acts of these rebels themselves, prove the necessity to be fully taught before the kingdom can be entered, and shows why their elementary education doesn’t happen therein. First, in their ignorance they would distract from and oppose God’s teaching, there as they do here, some proving themselves un-correctable (atopos), which things must happen before not after entering. (Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15 For without are dogs [those who can’t shut the mouths], and sorcerers [those who use their word to manipulate and control other people], and whoremongers [those who make people their merchandise], and murderers [of humans, born and unborn], and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie [psuedos].)
 
Matthew 25
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in [this is not talking about opening borders or gates to invaders – rather these verses speak of giving what is needed for life – every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, teaching so they will be in Christ, and He in them, and all these things will be added – Deuteronomy 8:1 – 5]:
36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink?
38 When saw we you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you?
39 Or when saw we you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels [his messengers]:
42 For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
 
Matthew 7
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him [see 2 Chronicles 1:11 below]?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter you in at the strait gate [narrowed by obstacles that must be navigated to enter – the ideas of the gods of this world]: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction [when all are let in there is destruction of the city or nation], and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles [and bring them into their houses]?
17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit [as we see on our southern border – and so it is at God’s kingdom gates].
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree [the mighty men of this age, and the ideas they espouse] that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
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 [proved by their not knowing Him and building their own kingdoms, not hearing His voice and not doing the will of the Father who sent me]: depart from me, you that work iniquity [work opposite God’s will].
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.
 
2 Chronicles 1
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give you.
8 And Solomon said unto God, You have shewed great mercy unto David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O LORD God, let your promise unto David my father be established: for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
 
The word in the title translated “lost” is the Greek word apollumi (appearing to describe being away from the shining), said to mean to fully destroy. These are those Paul describes in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 as “perishing,” because they and those leading them: the gods of this world who have blinded their minds, “receive not the love of the truth (aletheia).”
 
2 Thessalonians 2
6 And now you know what withholds [katecho – holds down God’s truth and keeps His people from rising to meet Him] that he [these men who hold the truth in their unrighteousness] might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work [and has now had its full work and caused the sleep {darkness, death, drunken minds} of God’s people]: only he who now lets [katecho – holds down in ignorance] will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked [those vilifying this work and word of the Holy Spirit] be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [this word of God], and shall destroy with the brightness [the light of His understanding] of his coming [and enlightening us]:
9 Even [enlightening us of – by truth freeing us from] him, whose coming is after the working of Satan [opposing and resisting God] with all power and signs and lying [pseudos] wonders [where we were held],
10 And with all deceivableness [apate – delusion – wrong path, which leads to destruction] of unrighteousness in them that perish [apollumi – the lost they have blinded]; because they received not the love of the truth [aletheia – the love that removes ignorance], that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion [energeia – the working of Satan in verse 9 above], that they should believe [put their faith in] a lie [pseudos – what holds them in darkness]:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not [don’t put their faith in] the truth [aletheia – what removes ignorance and darkness], but 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 the men and their ideas – into purity] of the Spirit and belief of the truth [aletheia, which has freed you from their hold]:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel [euaggelion – the full message of Christ in us], to the obtaining [peripoisis – seeming literally referring to becoming the horse the LORD rides] of the glory [presence and power] of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold 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 establish you in every good word and work.
 
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified [seen as the presence of God speaking His word of truth], even as it is with you: [referring to what is written in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth {alethos}, the word of God, which effectually works {energeia – which is the power of God} also in you that believe]
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [atopos – who refuse to be reasoned with and therefore will not change the positions they hold] and wicked men [who vilify this work of God]: for all men have not faith [in this power of God to change men].
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
 
2 Corinthians 3
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face [Christ’s presence revealed in us] beholding as in a glass the glory [the presence] of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
 
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost [apollumi – the self-destruction of those who reject the understanding being shined on them]:
4 In whom [the wicked sitting in the judgment seats, in God’s place preaching and teaching what is opposing His work and word] the god of this world [the gods of this age] has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts [our reasoning mind], to give the light of the knowledge of the glory [presence] of God in the face [person] of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure [His presence] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed [apollumi];
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death works in us, but life in you [His blood/life flowing from us as living waters (His word) into your minds].
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the LORD Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
 
These living waters flowing are what causes those who followed lies (pseudos – falsehoods, images created by men) to perish, as Peter describes in 2 Peter 3. There he defines these misleaders’ blinded minds as ignorance, and ends saying they are the unlearned who wrestle with this word of God, to their own destruction.
 
2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up [diegeiro – fully awaken] your pure [eilikrines – judged by the sun’s rays] minds [dianoia – deep thoughts] by way of remembrance [hupomnesis – the only use outside 2 Peter is in Paul remembering the genuine faith in Timothy]:
2 That you may be mindful of [mnaomai – re-cognize – bring into your minds] 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, perished [apollumi – by rejecting this light – understanding]:
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 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 [apollumi], but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night [in the darkness of these men’s minds]; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – these men’s corrupted ideas that control their thinking, and blinds the minds of those following them] 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 [light] of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas and idols] 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 wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before [proginosko – were foreordained with this knowledge], 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.
 
The word in verse 18 above, rendered “grow,” is the Greek word auzano, meaning to be enlarged, here it is in grace and knowledge. The word grace is charis, meaning the influence of the Holy Spirit on our reasoning mind, as He imparts the gift of the knowledge of God – which bring (corrects and quickens) us out of darkness into understanding, from sleep to sobriety, from death to life. Without this process of learning what the LORD freely teaches us, and our allowing it to transform our minds, there is a continued wandering in blindness and its darkness.
 
Peter only used the word auzano one other time, in 1 Peter 2:2 where he describes this same growth, as we put off the old nature, and then as newborn desire the sincere (adolos – unadulterated) milk. We know from 1 Corinthians 3:2 this milk is the foundational (elementary) teaching, which readies us for the meat (the deeper truths).
 
1 Peter 1
18 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who truly was foreordained [proginosko, with this knowledge] before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away:
25 But the word of the LORD endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
 
1 Peter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow [auzano] thereby:
3 If so be you have tasted that the LORD is gracious [the source of the milk – the elementary teaching].
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
 
Friends, if we are not taught, or we reject the knowledge of God, we are lost (apollumi).
 
1 Corinthians 2
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 searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth 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 teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth 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 judgeth 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.
 
1 Corinthians 3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.
3 For you are yet carnal [as long as you follow men – and don’t understand it is the LORD in them {as Christ} you are following]: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the LORD gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase [auzano].
7 So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase [auzano].
8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are laborers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day [the light of the sun] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
 
Psalm 129
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel [all God’s people] now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked [by which they bind {join} us to them].
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion [the LORD ruling over His people].
6 Let them [the wicked] be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers afore it grows up:
7 Wherewith the mower fills not his hand [take those he has cut off]; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom [to himself he joins those he has cut down].
8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. [They don’t say the words the LORD said would need to be said before we would see Him again – the one entering through the gates of righteousness, where all the righteous will enter, in the name of the LORD.]
 
Psalms 130
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD.
2 LORD, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
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But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
Friends, the false gospel tells people all they need do is repeat a few words and they are saved. It is akin to enrolling in a course, never attending a class and expecting (or being worthlessly given) a Ph.D. The LORD says we seek (learn) the kingdom of God and His righteousness (the ideas and ways of the truth and equity), before the blessings flow. The graduation comes when by the knowledge of God we understand Him, and are made in His image and likeness (with His mind) – and then we go to work in the world.
 
As much as it pains me to says it: most preachers are satisfied with the fables they have learned and now teach along with others they think are relevant. They are teaching their own ideas and going their own ways hoping only to reproduce followers with zeal but lacking the knowledge of God.
 
The title above is Matthew 6:33, a verse telling of the way out of man’s ignorance of the Divine nature (character, person) of God. In the original text, there is no comma after God, which tells us, seeking His kingdom and righteousness is one search. The word here translated “seek” is the Greek word zeteo, meaning to search (literally meaning be fervent in; seemingly from the words zeo, (to be hot, boil of liquid or glow of solid), and te, (meaning both or also, in the sense of connection or addition).
 
Friends, throughout history many critics have criticized the New Testament writers for (what they thought/think is) their ignorance in preaching the imminent return of the LORD Jesus Christ. What we understand is what the writers understood, the coming of Christ is in people individually, as the result of finding that for which they have diligently searched.
 
God the Father seeks (zeteo) those who will worship Him in spirit (knowing His nature – as a deliverer, not a destroyer) and truth. The word truth in Greek is aletheis, from the prefix a, which we know reverses the meaning of the word it is fixed to, which is lanthano.
 
Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary definition: #2990: lanthano (pronounced lan-than’-o) a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to lie hid (literally or figuratively); often used adverbially, unwittingly:–be hid, be ignorant of, unawares.
 
The verse referenced above, which is the LORD speaking of those who the Father seeks, is John 4:23. It is a statement that follows a conversation about where God is worshipped, and He is speaking to those He has identified as ignorantly worshipping. He is saying the Father isn’t looking for those who will worship Him in ignorance, hidden in their lack of conscious awareness.
 
John 4
9 Then said the woman of Samaria [Israel as idol worshipers – the objects of their worship were the creations of men] unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew [Judah – now, the evangelicals – the most observant, having zeal, but lacking knowledge], asks drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
11 The woman said unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water? [The woman’s statements exemplify the ignorance of the word of God, where it resides {the gift in him} and from where it flows.]
12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water [the old ways of hearing the falsely so-called word of God] shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15 The woman said unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16 Jesus said unto her, Go, call your husband [the one to whom you are currently joined], and come hither.
17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband:
18 For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly [alethes – the truth that sets her free from those who must be removed so to the seventh one who has now come, the LORD, she will be faithfully joined].
19 The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews [has always been with the most observant and zealous, seeking the LORD, even while in the sleep of ignorance].
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth [aletheia – without ignorance of Him]: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth [aletheia].
25 The woman [the unfaithful of God’s people, who long ago left Him] said unto him, I know that Messiah [the one anointed by God, with the oil that produces the light – understanding in the mind] comes, which is called Christ [God in his flesh speaking]: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus said unto her, I that speak unto you am he.
 
Friends, I again tell you in the name of the LORD, these men who now lead God’s people must be removed because they will hold them in ignorance until they are. They are those Paul speaks of in Romans 1:18, who hold (katecho – hold down) what would end ignorance (the truth captive) in their unrighteousness.
 
Romans 1
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [euaggelion – this full message] of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew [Judah – the elect remnant] first, and also to the Greek [those wallowing in the mire they call knowledge].
17 For therein [the gospel – this full message] is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by [their own] faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [katecho] the truth [aletheia] in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made even, [no comma here – and the words “made even” are translated from the Greek word te – in] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart [reasoning mind] was darkened [degenerated into ignorance].
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed [metallasso – caused the change of] the truth [aletheia – the lack of ignorance] of God into a lie [pseudos], and worshipped and served the creature [the creation – their false doctrines and ignorance] more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
 
The “lies” these men have created, in which they hold men to them as law they claim leads to salvation, are defined above using the nine times used Greek word pseudos. They are the unrighteousness wherein the truth is “held,” as Paul describes above in Romans 1:18, where we saw “hold” was from the Greek word katecho. We know katecho, meaning to hold down, is the word Paul uses in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 & 7, where it is rendered “withhold” and “lets” in telling of those who hold down God’s people and will hold them until they are taken out of the way. We know these sayings are Paul further defining our (His dead body – church united) rising to meet the LORD in the air, which he had earlier described to them in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. We know this air (aer), where we meet the LORD, is the same air (the seven times used word aer) Paul describes in Ephesians 2:2, describing where we were once held (in death) but are now freed from by the LORD’s truth (removing our ignorance). In each of these passages, Paul also describes the perpetrators, who are holding the truth and God’s people in their unrighteousness, as those against whom the LORD’s wrath is revealed, of which we are eyewitnesses.
 
Ephesians 2
1 And you has he quickened [brought from death into life – from ignorance into understanding, from darkness into His marvelous light], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [aer], the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
 
2 Thessalonians 2
6 And now you know what withholds [katecho – holds down God’s truth and keeps His people from rising to meet Him] that he [these men who hold the truth in their unrighteousness] might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work [and has now had its full work and caused the sleep {darkness, death, drunken minds} of God’s people]: only he who now lets [katecho – holds down in ignorance] will let, 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 [this word of God], and shall destroy with the brightness [the light of His understanding] of his coming [and enlightening us]:
9 Even [enlightening us of – by truth freeing us from] him, whose coming is after the working of Satan [opposing and resisting God] with all power and signs and lying [pseudos] wonders [where we were held],
10 And with all deceivableness [apate – delusion – wrong path, which leads to destruction] of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth [aletheia – the love that removes ignorance], that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion [energeia – the working of Satan in verse 9 above], that they should believe [put their faith in] a lie [pseudos – what holds them in darkness]:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not [don’t put their faith in] the truth [aletheia – what removes ignorance and darkness], but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification [separation from the men and their ideas – into purity] of the Spirit and belief of the truth [aletheia, which has freed you from their hold]:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel [euaggelion – the full message of Christ in us], to the obtaining [peripoisis – seeming literally referring to becoming the horse the LORD rides] of the glory [presence and power] of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold 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 establish you in every good word and work.
 
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified [seen as the presence of God speaking His word of truth], even as it is with you: [referring to what is written in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth {alethos}, the word of God, which effectually works {energeia – which is the power of God] also in you that believe]
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [who refuse to be reasoned with and therefore will not change the positions they hold] and wicked men [who vilify this work of God]: for all men have not faith [in this power of God].
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
 
1 Thessalonians 4
9 But as touching brotherly love [philadelphia] you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia [in the shambles they call the houses of God]: but we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
11 And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
 
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day [light] of the LORD so comes as a thief in the night [into darkness].
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness [not lacking understanding], that that day [understanding] should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all the children of light [understanding], and the children of the day [where the light is]: we are not of the night [where there is no light], nor of darkness [where there is no understanding].
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
 
When Paul, in verse 3 above, says that when these men say “peace and safety” sudden destruction comes upon them, he is telling of when they vilify God’s warnings and tell their followers not to worry about the warnings – because they are saved. The word Paul uses to tell of the suddenness of this is the Greek word aiphnidios, which is the word phaino, meaning to lighten (shine), and the letter a, which tells us the word means without light, and therefore it is saying they are without understanding.
 
Aiphnidios is only used one other time, in Luke 21:34, where it is rendered “unawares” in telling of the same destruction. Luke is telling of not seeing the light the LORD spoke of earlier in the chapter when telling of His coming.
 
Luke 21
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.
29 And he spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God [which we seek] is nigh at hand.
32 Truly I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares [aiphinidos].
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
 
We know from Matthew 24 the coming of the Son of man in a cloud (where the source of the light isn’t yet seen, only the light -Job 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind {Spirit} passeth, and cleanseth them.), as described above in verse 27, is as a light shining from one end of heaven to the other. This is telling of the understand being given by God, missed by those the LORD describes in Luke 21:34.
 
Matthew 24
27 For as the lightning [understanding] comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcass is [the dead body – the sleeping church], there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun [church] be darkened [be without understanding], and the moon [civil government] shall not give her light [understanding], and the stars [all God’s people] shall fall from heaven [from the fixed positions as lights in the air], and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear [phaino – the light shining] 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 [messengers] 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.
We know the snare that comes upon these men is what should have been for their welfare, but instead becomes the trap they are caught in.
 
Psalms 69
22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your wrathful anger take hold of them.
25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded. [see Isaiah 53:5 – so the blood and water would flow – and the Spirit world move men to be cleansed in them]
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
 
Romans 11
7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks [epizeteo] for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened [without understanding], that they may not see, and bow down their back always.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come [through this full message – euaggelion] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing [their degeneration away from the truth] of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakers of the root and fatness of the olive tree [the oil that flows into the branches bringing life – and feeding the light];
18 Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bears not the root, but the root you.
19 You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if you wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [those who unawares wrestle with God and His word]:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins [remove their repetitive errors by understanding].
28 As concerning the gospel [euanggelion – this full message of Christ], they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who has known the mind of the LORD? or who has been his counsellor?
35 Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
 
Isaiah 48
1 Hear you this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
2 For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass;
5 I have even from the beginning declared it to you; before it came to pass I showed it you: lest you should say, Mine idol has done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, has commanded them.
6 You have heard, see all this; and will not you declare it? I have shewed you new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them.
7 They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when you heard them not; lest you should say, Behold, I knew them.
8 Yea, you heard not; yea, you knew not; yea, from that time that your ear was not opened: for I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and were called a transgressor from the womb.
9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for you, that I cut you not off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
13 Mine hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
14 All you, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them has declared these things? The LORD has loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
16 Come you near unto me, hear you this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the LORD God, and his Spirit, has sent me.
17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit, which leads you by the way that you should go.
18 O that you had hearkened to my commandments! then had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea:
19 Your seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of your bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
20 Go you forth of Babylon [confusion], flee you from the Chaldeans [those who use their words to manipulate and control you], with a voice of singing declare you, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say you, The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.
21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters [His word] to flow out of the rock [Christ] for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
22 There is no peace, says the LORD, unto the wicked [who vilify this word and work to justify themselves].
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