Bible Questions Page 26

Golden Reed (2 of 2)

This is set on a mountain, curiously enough the Spirit sets Ezekiel in his vision under almost identical circumstances. "And set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south./ And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate."(Ez.40:2-3) Notice the significance of line of flax in his hand? The angel is none other than a fellow servant even as John whose measuring reed is mentioned specifically stated. We see in these two same distinction between the vision where Ezekiel as with Daniel represents the nation of Israel. Both mountain serving as a backdrop establishes Zion as intended, as His holy habitation. In the next post we shall examine another vision which again is pendent on this temple. (Re.11:1-2)

This comparative method is for our instruction in righteousness and we shall not escape judgement since the standard unit of the golden reed is for the believers meeting the requirement of the gospel. Significance of the line of flax is inadequate since Jesus Christ shed his blood for us. Follow me, learn of me are not famous lost words but we ought to learn of him. One baptism by water makes only your faith expressed, and without works faith is dead as flax is consumed by fire.

For meditation: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is./ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward./ If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."1 Co.3:13-15

Two Witnesses

, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;/ And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (1 Co.10:1-3) Baptized into Moses makes sense that He was a stand-in for the Son but as a servant.(Nu.12::7). Jesus is the only Way.

What we are in this post assaying to do is to present a total picture. "In the cloud and the sea for the doctrinal truth of baptismIt is the life of Jesus we cling to. Hypocrites settle for Jesus talk. As baptism of water it is a sacrament to be performed once as has been demonstrated by these nominal Christians every where. If we have died to sin and the world whence comes nationalism of the baser sort that even scoundrels shrink from, and hunger for praises from men?

Moses merely served God as faithful in all his house. But He would not let him step where the position could only be filled by his Son. This is what Jesus referring to as the baptism of fire.

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.' (Ex.32:32) In the passage God did not take the offer however well meaning it was. In the divine Will the day was decreed for the Son and it had to end in a conflagration into which all the artefacts,- cultural and social, of the ungodly would be consigned to fire. This would only after his Son had perfected the will of his Father. As the Son he was referring to his coming passion and the division that would follow. The manner Seth stepped into the breach made by Cain the wicked one, he knew what his Advent would entail. St Peter refers to the purging by fire. (2 Pe.3:7,10)

Ro.15:1-7

" For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me./ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,"

Part III (7 of 7)

Luke 12:49-56

Two Witnesses

"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?"(v.56).

This could be Jesus asking in our times and with the climate on a crisis mode how apt it is! In continuation to the series we have just covered we shall begin with the face of the sky and face of the earth representing two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. An overcomer has to handle both worlds as one, and no other way. It is hypocrisy to set divisions on the face of the earth and expect the Christians to be part of the same body of Christ. Hunting with dogs, ('Beware of dogs') and running with hares during revival meetings shall have only one winner, and it is Satan. But Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. In the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun the 10 horns of the great dragon tell that he is under judgment. So whosoever backs his gospel and his anti-christ is doomed for destruction.

Jesus said in the above mentioned text,-and he gave a strong indication of the great tribulation his Advent would mean but the life of men called to be witnesses in a wicked world has to be by the light he represents. It is a fire already kindled to which we shall cite the destruction of Sodom and the cities of the plains. God lives in unapproachable light but also as we see in the night vision of Daniel is a consuming fire. (Dan.7). We shall begin with his quote: "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"(vv.49-50)

In the previous post titled "With the Remnant of Her Seed" we had mentioned two witnesses namely water and fire. The two pillars that served the Israelites till they reached Canaan were forerunner of the baptism of which the various sects are mostly taken up with only that of water. (1 Co.10:1-3)

Part III

Overcomer (3 of 7)

. Every overcomer fights with full armour of God and back up from heaven. This is what spiritual blessings jn heavenly places in Christ would mean.

So we shall tackle the question who were they? "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,"(v.7) Michael and his angels represent the world of the Spirit and simultaneously albeit bound by time and place we are also joined the battle so the exhortation, 'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong,' is meant for us. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."(1 Co.16:13; Ep.6:13) For both worlds there is only only one article that prevails over the enemy; blood of the lamb. This is well illustrated by this vision of St John in ch.5.

"And in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."(5:6)

Re.12:13

The Great Tribulation

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."(v.13)

Jesus had foretold of the persecutions that were inevitable. He was aware of the enemy and his wiles. The devil sins from the beginning. He was manifested among his disciples for this reason. So he forewarned them. "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"(Luke.17:1)

The Spirit presents the devil with a colour code, which refers to the rider of the red horse in the chapter 6 of the Book. The red dragon makes his entry in the cavalcade, "And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."(6:4) .

Part III

(2 of 7)

We only need compare the life of Abraham and of the king of Tyrus whose authority came from Satan. God allowed Abraham to walk the land and breadth of the land promised to him. "Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee."(Ge.13:17) God expected him to walk in faith in the world of the body and live accordingly Because God was his reward. His perfection came from his faith matching His. No more or no less. He was to be coheir with his Son.

The cherub was perfect till iniquity was found in him. The red dragon was perfect with seven crowns and seven heads, But ten horns established iniquity of pride and he was under judgment. On account of it the beast mentioned in Re.13 was in great wrath, knowing the time is short. " And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." The rider on the white horse the Word of God shall take him and cohorts and throw them into the lake of fire. (Re.19:11-21) We are on the cusp of the end times.

Re.12:11

Overcomer

" And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

'And they overcame him'

Who are they? Before answering it we look at the verse below. " Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them." The Holy Spirit is referring to the cloud of witnesses, and the angelic hosts who dwell in the heavens." Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth./ The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men."(Ps.115:15-16) In short God blessed man with all spiritual blessing which require us reorient ourselves in His presence. We are negotiating two worlds at the same time so whosoever denies the world of Spirit having claim of him, is a liar. Truth is written in his inward parts and God has placed eternity in his heart. In refusing to accept the truth he is resisting God.

Part III

(1 of 7)

Bible Study: Re.12:3

The Red Dragon

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."

There was perfection in the cherub and it speaks of his sonship. "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."(Ez.28:15) As with Adam he was created and the Psalmist speaks of the angels being of different order. What is man? "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."(Ps.8:5). In his divine Will the man created had to be in a specific likeness for which his obedience was counted more. His Son settled for the body that He has prepared. It was thus God formed him from the ground and later breathed into his nostrils to make him a living soul. His glory and honour devolved from the faith of his dear Son who said, "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." (Ps.40:7-8). The same faith was expected of Adam.

On the other hand the cherub was placed in heavenly places, "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire."(Ez.28:14) God made angels, spirit and were perfect but he wanted much more glory and honor and he would wrest it if God does not. Haven't we heard this before? False teachers would force the tight-fisted God by their faith. Where did they learn from? Lucifer would want more holiness that God has, as it were. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." (Is.14:13)

Part II

(4 of 4)

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! "

Here the Spirit is giving us two nations, which according to the divine promise to Abraham have their position in heavenly places as well as in the wilderness God assures the patriarch, "But he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir./ And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." (Ge.15:4-5) We have the two groups as summed up by the writer to the Hebrews, "Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable./ These all died in faith,"(He.11:12-13)

What are these dead in the presence of the Living God? Are not they redeemed by the living word? The everlasting gospel assures them everlasting life. It is what God promised the Son. So the Spirit sets the woman clothed with 12 stars ("and upon her head a crown of twelve stars") which is made of 4x3. The command number Three refers to the Son. While St Matthew sets down genealogy of Jesus to Abraham (Matt.1:17) gives us 42 generations. (14x3) God's promise to Abraham is backed by the eternal Word.

Inhabiters of the sea refer to wicked nations like troubled sea keep churning up wild outlandish policies at home and abroad. The beast really comes into his own after the saints are redeemed for the earth. He is a demagogue a populist. The Spirit tags the preceding chapter with number 42 which ties up the following chapter as well. The authority of the beast came from the dragon. The Spirit addresses the inhabiters of the land and the sea 'and woe to ye' sums up the great tribulation period. The beast as the proxy for the devil is 'come down unto you, having great wrath. In short the Spirit presents us a shape of things to come.

Part II

(3 of 4)

Having given this by way of introduction we have this time ' time times and a half' which the Spirit uses to describe the woman in the wilderness vis-a-vis the serpent. The dragon is cast out into the earth and he is epitome of evil, an angel gone rogue. This vision is set between the beast who kills the two witnesses from God and the beast and anti-christ appearing on the world stage.(Re.13). As with serpent in the Garden we have the beast confronting the woman in the wilderness. "The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."(Re.11:7)

In the book of Daniel we have a reference to the context, which shall explain this. Daniel asks "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" and the man clothed in linen answers,"And sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."( Dan 12:6-7)

What this vision of St John tells us is about the end times. If we see bigotry and crude nationalism without responsibilities at the high place be certain that the beast has come and his downfall is about to happen.

"And all the world wondered after the beast./ And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?/And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." (13:3-5)

The beast is proxy as the serpent was for Satan. The beast is given forty and two months, another way of saying the time, the times and a half.

Part II

Re.12:6-14

Into The Wilderness (1 of 4)

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, "

Here the Spirit uses the fall of man as the springboard to her redemption, which is indicated with the place where she is nourished for a time. Earthly ministry of Jesus is established there so when St Paul speaks of strong meat it is to gospel he is referring. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ."(1 Co.3:10)

The place prepared for her as God warned Eve is the ground from which man was taken and her conception shall be accompanied with sorrow. It is cursed because of their disobedience. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;"(Ge.3:16) Even so God has made provisions for them so Isaiah's quote 'Glorify ye God in the fires' (Is.24:15) is very relevant for us. Is the wilderness experience terrible if God is in control over you? ""Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her."(Ho.2:14) What we see in our times is the folly of man without God.

In v.14 we read of the two wings of a great eagle given to her so she could be led 'into her place as the Lord did with the nation of Israel. "You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself."(Ex.19:4-ESV). 'Brought you to myself'" is how the Spirit annotates the divine will in terms of sending his Son to the same cursed ground "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old."(Is.66:9)

This is where the significance of clothing Adam and Eve comes in focus. "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them."(Ge.3:22)

First I have to make a confession of all the books of the entire bible I am the weakest on the book of Revelation.

My question is having this verse in revelation:

Revelation 3:5 (KJV) 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Doesn't that cause a real issue for the "once saved always saved" advocates?

OSAS

What is one SAVED from?

DEATH

You cannot be saved from DEATH until God sends his angles to HARVEST the SEED.

ONLY mature SEED are harvested, immature SEED are scattered to the wind as is chaff.

Fruit produces SEED, the fruit never look like the SEED, the SEED always looks like the SEED that was planted.

Luke 11:8 Now the PARABLE is this: the SEED is the word of God.

John 1:14 ..... and the word (SEED) was made flesh.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ (the SEED) was once offered for the sins of many; and unto them that look for him (TRUTH, Christ is truth) he (the SEED) shall APPEAR the SECOND TIME.

Matthew 24:30 Then SHALL APPEAR the sign (the image oft he SEED) of the son of man in heaven (IN YOU).... the son of man COMING in the CLOUDS of heaven (IN YOU).

Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in YOU ......

Matthew 12:28 But if I CAST OUT DEVILS by the Spirit (TRUTH) of God; then the Kingdom of God has COME TO YOU.

God Bless YOU!

Study of Re.12:1-14 (4 of 4)

The warning of Jesus to seven churches include these false brethren. For example this v. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"(Re.3:17) He already knows who are his and who are not. For those incorrigible we have this warning,"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time./ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."( 1 John 2:18-19)

Re.12:6-14

Into The Wilderness

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, "

Here the Spirit uses the fall of man as the springboard to her redemption, which is indicated with the place where she is nourished for a time. Earthly ministry of Jesus is established there so when St Paul speaks of strong meat it is to gospel he is referring. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ."(1 Co.3:10)

The place prepared for her as God warned Eve is the ground from which man was taken and her conception shall be accompanied with sorrow. It is cursed because of their disobedience. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;"(Ge.3:16) Even so God has made provisions for them so Isaiah's quote 'Glorify ye God in the fires' (Is.24:15) is very relevant for us. Is the wilderness experience terrible if God is in control over you? ""Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her."(Ho.2:14) What we see in our times is the folly of man without God.

(To Be continued)

Call Upon the Name (2 of 2)

Ge.4:26

St Paul speaks of the word sent out, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (Ro.10:15). He very well knew what he preached in his missionary journeys. "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." This word of faith was seeded in the heart of Adam while God made him a living soul. Truth in his inward part was the animating aspect of the Spirit of Christ so whatever names Adam called His creation was spot on. By expelling man and woman from the world of the Spirit did not remove this faculty of discernment. Eve calling Seth proved that she indeed anticipated God's will concerning her as He had anticipated the name of Immanuel since He sent forth his word and the glory of the light of knowledge in the face of Jesus Christ.

'Thy Face' gives us the key to the significance of the heart as the face or where the world of the Spirit interfaces with the world of the body. In the second section we find the Spirit setting the lifespan of man in terms of 120 years. "yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."(6:3) Advent of the Son shall have heroes of faith to which the life of Noah is a shining example. What is 120 but man's life and his salvation set in terms of the gospel. The Spirit organized the narrative on a need-to -know basis so the perfect and complete will of the Father as fulfilled by the Son shall be on reconstituted time. With regards to the key text some scholars explain it as this, "meaning either (1) then began men to call themselves by the name of the Lord (marg.) i.e., to distinguish themselves thereby from idolaters; or (2) then men in some public and earnest way began to call upon the Lord, indicating a time of spiritual revival."(selected)

Literalism set up their own landmarks while the Spirit forbids, " Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."(Pr.22:28)

OSAS: Serving God.

Let's step back and think for a moment. What is heaven exactly? Surely a large factor there is that we will SERVE God forever.

John 12:26 says in KJV: If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Let us examine the same verse in the amplified version:

If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven's glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

I am not an expert on translations but it would seem eternally serving God is a theme here! Revelation 7:13-15 and Revelation 22:3 make this abundantly clear as to the serving of God eternally of His saints. Worship is also inextricably tied to being a servant; and the ruling and reigning with Christ is part and parcel with the destiny of the church as Kings and Priests before the throne as well ( Revelation 5:10; etal).

Now as we assess this life; surely we see this attitude of service begins here; and Christ of course laid out the perfect example with His life. Mark 10:45 shows how Christ came not to be served but to serve; if God incarnate followed that principal surely His disciples must do the same.

As to work in heaven; surely it won't be a drudgery. The curse with the thorns and sweat on the brow will be gone that we inherited in the garden. We won't have unreasonable taskmasters; stressful deadlines; and other difficulties. Work no doubt will be a cooperative effort since we will all be together in performing tasks. No doubt individual things will be suitable for us as well.

The world at large cannot serve without some benefit for themselves; just like we can't love unconditionally (see Matthew 5:34).

The last enemy destroyed is deateh (1COR15:26

Abel

The second son of Adam was a shepherd. He foreshadows Christ the Good Shepherd. His offering from the firstlings of the flock pleased God more than of Cain.

How did Abel settle upon a burnt offering? To the pure God shall show himself as pure. ("With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure, "-Ps.18:26). Abel is qualified as righteous. ( 1 John 3:12)

Faith is the pure language by which he understood the truth 'Without shedding of blood is no remission' (He.9:22). Here is an example of the wisdom from heaven. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."(Jas.3:17). Besides God first demonstrated when He first dressed his parents with coats of skins. (Ge.3:21).

He was killed by his older brother Cain in a fit of jealousy and became the first martyr.Matt.23:35.

"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength " (Ps,8:2; Matt.21:16) I was four years old and my Sunday school teacher asked what God was like. But I had an answer that amazed my teacher that he would repppeatt o my father some forty years later. It must have seemed a childish nonsense. Does God throw stones from above on the bad? Now I know from reading Re.18:21 that he does so the mighty Babylon is wiped off from the earth. It made me realize how Abel would have known to please God. To the pure He shall reveal his mysteries. Some 75 years later I knew my life began ages ago.

OSAS: Difference between wheat and tares

Matthew 13:30-32 state: 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

There are numerous studies on the explanation of wheat and tares; it boils down to plants that appear the same when they spring out of the ground; but only at the harvest time can useless nonnutritive plants be differentiated from the edible ones used for food. In the end Matthew 13:30 states "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

This would be; I surmise an indication that during the Tribulation the wicked are gathered together eventually in Armageddon to fight God and the rest of the firstfruits and wheat will be translated or Resurrected in heaven.

The real question here may be WHY does God allow this to happen in the first place? First of all; there needs to be an awareness that the battle isn't merely between the Christian attendng church and the rest of the world outside the church who don't profess Christ. In fact it is within the house of God that Satan no doubt desires to impact; the rest of the lost pose no threat to his kingdom. There is no doubt a primary reason for this is to TEST His children to see if they will indeed be zealous for His Name's sake or be as cowards and retreat accepting every wind of doctrine. ( Eph 4:14). Our lamps need to shine ( Matt. 5:16) unashamedly!

Pure Language of the Spirit

It is a sign as well.

"He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works (Ps.33: 15)". This heart is not any anatomical part of the body of man but defines a spiritual place. Truth is written inward parts. This being the case the people, events and places are set in direct frame of reference to Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life."

What is a sign? Rainbow is a natural phenomenon. But after the great flood God sets the sign that gives it a spiritual underpinning. For Noah whenever he saw a rainbow it held a special significance of divine Judgment and His great mercy in delivering from the antediluvian world. A sign is the spiritual shadow to the natural world. It is thus we need understand the role heart plays in instruction in righteousness.

Word as a sign necessitates that we treat the worlds- heaven and the earth as a closed system. Hence symbolism of numbers does play a great part. For example we have this verse, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." (Pr.9: 1). Seven in the lexicon of the Spirit is to denote completeness or set forth in the will. So it denotes the house as coming from heaven. God completed the creation in seven days (Ge.2:1) is not simply a matter of seven days as we know the term.

The word of God renders the will of the Father into a visible world just as Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. (Col.1:15). He is the true Light. Thus God commands, 'Let there be light" And it was so. Truth as was in heaven is made visible. God created the worlds of heaven and the earth by His word. Both heard alike meaning faith is the pure language , the lingua franca. Wisdom and Power of God the Father and God the Son must be freely available to man according to the Word, which is eternal and forever settled in heavens. Is it not?

Doubt (2of 2)

A sample shall suffice:

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matt.2: 2)." How did a star connect with the king of the Jews so some pagan stargazers should set out in search from one end of the world? William Barclay in his commentary on St Matthew, for an example, writes: "We do not know what brilliant star those ancient Magi saw. Many suggestions have been made." How does it help to be left into a limbo of doubt?

Without faith in its soundness, scholarship is dubious as carnal wisdom is. For Daniel interpreting the king's dream was to lay bare the thoughts of the king's heart fully trusting in God. ("And that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart"-Dan.2: 31). The Spirit annotating whatever topics that require clarity is addressing the heart rather than reason.

Man brings his scholarship, which is his word against the Word, which was with God from the beginning. Where the Spirit presents certainties man is relying on carnal wisdom, which thrives in controversies. There are no buts and ifs with wisdom from heaven, which is freely given. Besides this wisdom is Person specific.

Bible is the God document and is inerrant. Jesus is the Word become flesh so we have him as the standard. "I am the truth" is one single standard about which God framed the worlds 'by the word of His power'. (He.1:3). So Christ is the standard for a child of God who wishes to be made perfect.

Heaven and the earth have a single standard. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."(1 Co.1:30).

Doubt, the devil's weapon (1 of 2)

: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:/ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Ti.3: 16-17)". This being the case what if the teacher himself is in doubt? What it is doing to the pupil's heart. Like the proverbial tares it shall slowly find is own niche.

Faith is absolutely insisted upon in order to prepare a child of God to quit him like a man in this age of lawlessness. He sorely needs solid food from the word of God.

The adage 'child is the father of man' is very much true also in the making of a man of God. It is reasonable that a pedagogue relies as much on truth he knows by experience, and the trusting nature of the child does the rest. This is evident in the preceding verse of St Paul's epistle: 'And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (v.15)'. Hearing the word of God is not simply a matter for the ear. The sound one hears is processed elsewhere so it makes sense to him. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This time St Paul writing to the believers in Rome says this sound has been heard. Hearing and meditating upon the word of God is fine and good. But doubt like the tares are always crouching at the door as God told Cain,"and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."(Ge.4:7)

Sound over the distance it covers is running what with doubt as an obstacle course, and it is all about us.

Ok, so I see I stirred up a "hornet's nest", and that's a good thing! Like acid, deadly by itself yet when it's used in the right mixture it becomes a catalyst, a necessary agent for change.

Universalism! It's TRUTH. I'll do a quick overview to try to explain it. God will one day SAVE all His creatures, even the demons. Why you ask, actually why is easy because He is God and God is GOOD! How, is the more pertinent question. I'll start off by using the same scripture God opened my eyes with, Isaiah 45:23, and confirmed again in Romans 14:11. God has NEVER said a frivolous thing, ever! And if a person came up to us and said,"I have bowed my knee to God and confessed to Christ!" We, as messengers of truth would have to say, "Amen, welcome brother/sister!" The Key is Truthfulness, if this is done in Truth then it is done and has been done since The Cross of Christ. Therefore, we Understand that God said that He will bring it about, thus, if He brings it about then we can be SURE that it was done in TRUTH.

I'll try to answer as many questions as possible, the first was from Bro Dan and an astute point was made, namely, " Most will be to late, as it will be after they are dead, and standing before Jesus on Judgement Day." To this I point to, Psalms 139:7-12 and Romans 8:35-39. Proof that Nothing can stand in the way of God Almighty! I'll reveal another revelation that refutes the doctrine of demons, hell is NOT Eternal! Revelation 20:13-14 confirms this and we can see that those in hell will be Called before The White Throne of Judgment. This is important because we go there to see if our name is in The Lamb's Book of Life, the FACT that people that were in hell are there is Awesome because do you know who won't be there? Revelation 20:10-13. Notice how these are cast into the lake of fire BEFORE we are go to The Great White Throne. Can you see who else will not be there because they are Already judged? Revelation 19:20, them that receive the mark of the beast.

OSAS and the Parable of the Sower ( Matthew 13).

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Let us compare this scripture with these verses

John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth 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 thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Salvation isn't just us "accepting Christ" but us KNOWING Him and of course means He must "know" us. This word means the most intimate relationship and is used to describe relations between husband and wife in scripture. Hearing Christ therefore is only a first step on our part; the Pharisees were blind even though they saw (end of Matthew 23). Those who Christ know were those given to Him by the Father ( John 6:39). Predestination is a repeated theme in John indicating those who God gave the Christ to save. Salvation means goodfruit

REVELATION IS IN THREE PARTS - PAST / PAST (WITH PRESENT DAY APPLICATIONS) / FUTURE

Things which thou hast SEEN ( Rev 1:1-18) - things which ARE ( Revelation 2,3) - things which shall be HEREAFTER ( Rev 4:2)

John wrote down what he had seen, in the order in which he saw them. If a chapter starts 'and then' or 'after these', that means chapters prior back to chapter 4:2 have taken place. Chapter 7 starts 'after these' so chapters 4,5,6 have happened.

RAPTURE ('SEIZING, CARRYING OFF') There have been raptures already just by the definition above, more yet to come.

Enoch, Elijah, Captives set free from Paradise in the earth are raptures in the OT - Anyone left behind that repent will have to endure all seals up to the 6th. After that they must endure until that end. (if they make the end)

(Enoch, Elijah, Captives free) / DON'T MISS THIS RAPTURE [Dead in Christ rise first, they which are alive) / Tribulation begins (rapture 2 Rev 7:14) Great multitude..'out of' meaning within. (rapture 3) Two Witnesses, (rapture 4) 144,000 'man child'](THIS IS A NOT PLAN B TALK OR ANOTHER DOCTRINE) DONT MISS THAT RIDE TO THE SKY.

BUT 'THEE RAPTURE' WE MUST ALL AVOID. This is where all the mix up happens, this post trib pre trib and newest I heard is pre wrath. The mention of 'last day' or 'the end' and English lacking is a factor. 'The end' 'Last day' are very broad terms, Which is part of the misunderstanding.

God's Grace continues before, during and after Tribulation is another reason the Eternal Security Doctrine has it wrong.

ZACH 14:16 'THOSE THAT ARE LEFT' Who, people who didn't take the mark, serve [year-year].-- Anyone left behind that repent will have to endure all seals up to the 7th. After that anyone saved after must endure until that end. (if they live to the end of trib) If all take the mark die, and the ones that didn't are killed, who will be left to save?

Great Tribulation ( Rev 4:2- Rev 19:11-21) 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ (English is important)

Noun End (Greek) When some says the end, I say which end? (New Testament Greek Translated in English)

END - end, finish, close, conclusion, termination, extremity

END - end, edge, tip, limb, extremity, rim

EXPIRY - expiry, end, expiration, maturity, termination, close

END - end, conclusion, close

GOAL - goal, end, terminal, terminus, bourn, bourne

PURPOSE - purpose, objective, aim, scope, view, end

FINALE - end, conclusion

VERB

I FINISH - finish, end, conclude, complete, end up, get through

CLOSE - close, close by, end

The Bible (KJV 1611) should be understood by all just the same. But some believe that interpret means to interpret what 'they' think it is saying. We are to interpret not what we think it says but interpret what the Word says. Giving every word its proper meaning. Words in KJV time didn't have words and definition like we do today. God Bless. It's not about who might be wrong, its about finding out who is wrong and helping them get it right (advice + knowing you are wrong but take advice = Wisdom) Same goes for the person that is wrong. Its just a misunderstanding between Believers that can be figured out together without strife. Where there is strife there is pride.

Read with a Child's mind and faith. Take the Word literally until it is not possible, knowing that with GOD nothing is impossible. With a figurative statement, apply it to a literal situation. A person's faith will be key and will determine what is literal or figurative. Does it literally mean 'pluck my eye out?' Well if that's what it takes I would say yes. But just quit the sin business and keep both those good eyes. Looking up definitions/Origin into English) Looking in Oxford Dictionary, use discernment when looking up words online. Words are ranked on most common usage. Read the Bible from their perspective. More words and definitions have been added since 1611.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. (Literal, or you stuck here)

1 John 5:7 For there are Three (Literal: 1,2,3) that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these Three are one (Figurative to Literal: They are God, One in Unity or One in agreeance, There at the Beginning, etc)

Heaven, The Third (1 of 2)

Is there any specific place for heaven? The Spirit gives it a concrete image, 'Heaven is my throne,' and Sovereign will of God is the Law. "Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven (Ps.119:89-NKJV)." This throne is in consonance with the eternal word and established as the Law regulating all events persons and places accordingly.

Jesus said, 'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you ( John 14:2).' John in his vision gives us a preview of the fullness of God, which covers the earth and heaven to which the three heavens belong. (See under R-The Book of the Revelation)

In the wilderness what God was a pattern and He commanded Moses,' According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, so shall ye make it.(Ex.25:9).' What St John sees in his vision ("And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices"-Re.4:5) can we not make a schematic representation of the house of God? We can assign the Most Holy Place at the apex of a cone set on the earth. Voice of God is signified with thunderings and lightenings. God who no one can approach to it or see(1 Ti.6:16) signifies Holiest of the holies. "And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." The Throne and memorials of God signify Trinity in which the seven lamps constitute the Holy Spirit.

who tested God 3 times with a sheeps skin

We all have and read the Bible , sadly ,even though we have this same unchanging resource , we often disagree regarding the meaning of some of it . Imagine how confused and argumentative we would all be if we didn't have the Bible ! Even moreso than we are now ! :O

Imagine if the whole world relied on its own individual heart ( we all know what Jeremiah had to say about hearts ! ) to imagine what God was and how we could draw close to Him ? God has revealed Himself to us humans many times , any one who has read the Bible knows this . How well did it go ? How well behaved were the Israelites in the desert , when they had the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire guiding them through and protecting them from the desert ? How well did we humans treat the Son of God , when he was here in person and was seen to do the most awesome miracles that ' no man could do except God be with him ' ? Yes , of course God can speak to any of us in any way He chooses , He is God , He can do any and every thing . He has chosen to provide a written account of His previous dealings with us , He has been extremely kind and merciful to us in doing this great thing for our benefit . Why doesn't He reveal Himself more openly to us and to the world ? Firstly , that's His business , secondly He does , if we have eyes to see Him we can , but not the unbelievers , not yet . The unbelievers will get their chance if they are still alive when Christ returns . Thirdly , what does God want from us ? FAITH . What is faith and why is it so important and why does God want us to have it ? I know I'm talking to Bible readers so I know you know the answers to those questions , just in case... Hebrews Ch 11 V 6 and Hebrews Ch 11 V 1 and John Ch 20 V 29-31 . I don't have faith in myself or my own heart or my own imagination , I have faith in God and in Jesus and I learnt about them from the Bible and I'm still learning . Love to you all in Christ .

Mode-3

Mode of Signs up/down or mid-air (2of 2)

Judgment on Babylon (Is.13:1-3,12) present God shaking a hand, " Shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles (Is.13:2)".

An abstract idea of anger of the Lord God is translated into a physical act. So raising a banner is synonymous with the battle cry. It is always done before the opposing army so the standard of the army is to be seen by all; especially for the cohorts for whom colours are invested with a feeling, consequently a morale booster.

Up, down or mid-air

The Spirit has arranged the narrative on the basis to glorify the Son. This is what St Paul speaks of his fullness: "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.(Col.1:16-17; John 1:3

So the body that God has prepared before the worlds began (He.10:5) naturally creates a frame of reference wherever such diverse things for example, rock, water bread are mentioned.

As mediator he is positioned in mid-air in death ('And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself- John 12:32-NIV). From the narrative of the Father the Spirit sets down the pole with brazen serpent to counterbalance so the cross serves as symbol for his intercessory role upholding both heaven and the earth. (See under A- Ark of Noah)

Jesus died and preached the gospel to the captives. "What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?(Ep.4:8-10-NIV)"

His appearance second time shall be in mid-air.

Parable of Jotham (Jud.9:6-21)

In true sense this belongs to the genre of fables but Jotham presents a universal truth. Especially it is relevant for our times.

Abimelech is a bramble but his base, all vain and shallow shall never produce worthwhile fruits. "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?(Matt.7:16)". They may go by fancy names and like the one spearheaded by Theudas, their movements are doomed to fail. Now Jotham asks, "And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon." Such brambles are foisted upon nations, which owe to a proxy war between nations of saints in light and of children of disobedience. 'What concord has Christ with Belial?"

"Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:./ And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.(vv.56-57)"

Numbers-2

The name of the Father is holiness of the Gospel, which is one. (One Lord , one faith-Ep.4:5).

The Son has a command number, which is Three. The Word made flesh makes his command number Four.

The Number Five is with respect the Son and all souls given "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."( John 17:2) The principle of Association is applied to man in terms of his earthly circumstances. Thus his ox is counted as five. For this reason in the Law we have God commanding Moses, "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep".(Ex.22:1)

Number Five

What does the Jubilee (5x10) signify? The land belongs to God and the glory of the land is in harmony with the glory of the Son as heir to all things. With the jubilee year the land is to be left fallow. This rest signified rest that is promised to saints redeemed from earth.

In the Parable of the Five Wise virgins and Five Foolish virgins where the command number is Ten, indicating the Will of God. (Matt.25:1-13)

The virgins were redeemed from the world and they would have died to sin with taking baptism by water. They were to do the perfect will of God, which was their reasonable service. The Foolish five did no further in walking closer to the Lord. On the other hand the Five Wise virgins redeeming the times were evil did all to be kept from the ungodly ways. In short they followed the prompting of the indwelling Spirit.