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The discernment of spirits involves detection of God's presence as well as the lack thereof. It is a rare preacher or layperson who would dare to be bold enough to declare that their particular congregation is lukewarm as Christ did of the Laodiceans. Unfortunately; there is too much human praise (such as accolades to Pastors) which in and of itself isn't necessarily wrong; but if it is in the spirit of the world where "what is honorable among men is an abomination to God" ( Luke 16:15 loosely translated). Empty praise we could do without; of course false accusations and and overcritical spirit aren't helpful either. It is; nonetheless being UNloving and not edifying brothers and sisters in Christ if we don't care enough to help them when we can see that they are compromised in some way; we should desire fruit to multiply in others.
We were discussing Pilate's line today with Christ "what is truth"? ( John 18:38). With today's culture tending to have the effect of not wanting to "offend" anyone as its biproduct of downright falsehood; it seems that there is little making us uncomfortable or thinking about the fear of the Lord nowadays. The truth is as a "two edged sword" ( Heb. 4:12). We also need to remember that He comes with a sword to smite the nations and even judge the church in some ways ( Rev. 2:16; Revelation 19). Paul didn't mince words with Peter but openly rebuked him in his hypocricy ( Galatians 2:11-19). Jesus Himself of course was God and able perhaps to be more critical than any of us; but again He rebukes all those He loves ( Heb. 12:6). The words of Proverbs 27:6 discuss the benefits of a rebuke of a friend; and this could be multiplied with many other cross references.
The point here is that if we don't make truth clear and expose error then the cure is worthless at best and perhaps worse than the disease. Any strongholds the enemy has must be dealt with before deliverance.
Bob W
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
What does the 153 signify? Why doesn't it say a lot or a little? Why is it this specific number? I've never found an answer for this.
The Psalm certainly reminds us of Satan's role as the "accuser of the brethren". This is recorded in the earliest texts of scripture in Job; and Genesis; and is seen in the still future events in Revelation 12. Since the word them and they seems to be the context of the Psalm there are certainly powers and principalities under Satan's rulership that would probably plan to work on people to search out "iniquities" and "inward thoughts" such as verse 6 show.
It would seem that perhaps in the final judgment at Armageddon the destruction of those who are blaspheming God and no doubt the saints as Satan himself is starting in Revelation 13 will cause some of the fear in verse 9 and the rejoicing in verse 10.
I have tended to look to future prophetic final fulfillments to be strongly suggested not only in Psalms but most of scripture. There are certainly many things applicable to David as this one (albeit not specifically mentioning any particular event in his life that inspired these words).
Looking at my "cheat sheet" from church a few years back there are many types of Psalms; the "lament" one has a title/intro.; complaint; promises (petition); A statement of trust and Praise. (Thanks to K. D. a former elder in my church who taught this study; guess I'm not allowed to mention names here).
At any rate; there is certainly some mystery as to the order of the Psalms (not chronological) and to just when and where certain types appear; also of course some run through multiple chapters with the same writing. There are acrostic patterns we can't see except in the original language. May these verses and all scripture be real to us as we meditate on the Word day and night ( Joshua 1:8).
Rev 8:3, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the PRAYERS OF ALL SAINTS upon the GOLDEN ALTAR which was before the throne"
First thing first, we have to repair the altar of God that is broken down (if this is the case) and offer our sacrifices which are our prayers. So we start with praying. And what is going to happen?
1 Kings 18:38, "Then the fire (The Holly Spirit) of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."
At three different places in the Bible, a former/early and a latter rain are mentioned:
1. Joel 2:23, 'Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month."
2. Hosea 6:23, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
3. James 5:7, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."
What is this former/latter rain? Is it just a figure of speech or it may imply something? Do you think that it may imply something for us now in the last(of the last) days?
Or should the word church recorded here by Jesus in verse 17 have another interpretation, such as synagogue etc?
Or is the word church mentioned here the correct litteral interpretation?
THINK ABOUT IT? This came to my attention this a.m. on 12/15/2022.
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon(John, Mary, Elen, Tom, ... write your name) son of Jonas, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE(other things in your life)?"
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, WHOM JESUS LOVED"
John 19:26
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, WHOM HE LOVED, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!"
John 21:7
"Therefore that disciple WHOM JESUS LOVED saith unto Peter, It is the Lord ..."
Did Jesus love only John? No, not only him, He loves all people.
Did He love John more than the others? It doesn't say that.
But John really understood that Jesus loves him, for God Love is. Do you?