As in the days of Lot.....

[shawn]

As in the day Lot went out of Sodom, it shall be likewise in the day the Son of man is to be revealed:

Luke 17: 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The people of Lot’s days ate, drank, bought, sold, planted and built….these are the very things Solomon did when he laid hold on folly...to experience folly for us all and to offer his advice to fear God and keep His commandments instead of embracing it:

Ecclesiastes 2: 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

Likewise, we see many in the church doing these things…works of folly…works of vanity...things that the wrath of God is to be revealed from heaven. Unlike Solomon who retained his wisdom while he experienced these things, those who do these things lack wisdom. Solomon’s conclusion was that they were works of emptiness and a vexation of the Spirit:

(Eccl 2:11 KJV) Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

The messengers (angels) came to take Lot and his family out of Sodom…to save them from the wrath of God….for God had mercy upon Lot." Lot' means a 'veil or covering.' Lot "lingered" before the men took him and his family by the hand:

(Gen 19:16 KJV) And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

He delayed his departure...he restrained.... and this caused the angels to delay their execution of judgment on the wicked….for they could not do anything until he reached Zoar:

(Gen 19:22 KJV) Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

Just as 'Lot'….meaning 'cover'….kept the wicked from the impending judgment because of his staying or lingering….the man of sin…the son of destruction…also is covered by the 'cover'…which needs to be removed just as Lot was removed by the angels. "Only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way".....just as Lot delayed until he was taken out of the way.

2 Thess 2: 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth 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, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Just as in the day Lot (the 'covering') left Sodom by the hand of the angels and fire came down out of heaven, the Lord will also lead those who are still in Babylon out so that the wicked are revealed for who they are and will be destroyed with the 'brightness of his coming.'

At the coming of the Son of man there will be those who are 'taken'… just as Lot….and those who will be left… as those of Sodom who were left behind:

Matthew 24: 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

And again….remember Lot’s wife

Luke 17: 32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

In that 'night'….two will be 'asleep' in one bed…one will 'awaken' to the truth and life and leave Babylon and the other left alone...to do works of darkness in shame and contempt (Daniel 12:2)….two will be doing their works of 'grinding'…one will lose those works to save her life and the other will seek to preserve it and thereby losing it:

34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

In the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all…..this destruction is the being 'consumed in iniquity of the city.'

(Gen 19:15 KJV) And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

For wickedness burns as a fire:

(Isa 9:18 KJV) For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

And again….they shall 'utterly perish in their own corruption:'

(2 Pet 2:12 KJV) But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

For God will give them over to a rejected mind (one will be taken and the other rejected…left in their iniquity) to be filled with all unrighteousness….to be 'consumed in the iniquity of the city:'

Romans 1: 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Be we are not to partake in her sins and receive the plagues of the city…. Babylon…we are to 'come out' as Lot came out of Sodom and so he did not suffer with Sodom:

(Rev 18:4 KJV) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Jesus will deliver those who overcome the sins of Babylon from the wrath to come...to turn from idols and return to God........to serve the living and true God...to worship Him in Spirit and Truth:

(1 Th 1:9 KJV) For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

And we can have mercy (compassion) on those....just as God had mercy with Lot...pulling them....taking them by force...just as the angels did with Lot.... out of the fire:

Jude 1: 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

[shawn]

(Rev 21:8 KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Who are the "fearful?" They are the ones who hear the truth but do not confess it for fear of losing their positions in the church and losing the praise of their fellow men:

John 12: 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

They hide the truth given to them like the wicked servant who hid the pound in a napkin:

Luke 19: 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Who are the "unbelieving?" They are the ones who depart from the living God because of the hardening of the heart through the deceitfulness of sin.....the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

Hebrews 3: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Who are the "murderers?" They are the ones who hate their brothers in Christ:

(1 John 3:15 KJV) Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Who are the "scorcerers?" They are the ones who lead others astray (of the church) with their words of poison....the word "scorcerer" is "pharmakeus" which means "a poisoner or druggist."

(Jer 27:9 KJV) Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:

Psalms 58: 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Who are the "idolaters?" They are the ones who are greedy for dishonest gain....they seek to make merchandise of those who are under their care:

(Col 3:5 KJV) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

(1 Pet 5:2 KJV) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Who are the "liars?" They are the ones who say they know and love God but do not keep His commandments:

(1 John 2:4 KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

(1 John 4:20 KJV) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

God is merciful to those who turn from such things...to those who overcome. But there are those who prefer the darkness instead of the light.....they will be cut off in their own wickedness....for wickedness burns as fire and consumes those whose portion is in the lake of fire:

(Psa 11:6 KJV) Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

Jesus called them "hypocrites" because they profess godliness but are really wicked....there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth".....weeping because of the consequences of evil and rage of anger.

(Mat 24:51 KJV) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


They will be cut off and left to burn in their own wickedness:

(Psa 94:23 KJV) And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

(Psa 7:16 KJV) His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

(Psa 34:21 KJV) Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

For the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, kindles the fire:

(Isa 30:33 KJV) For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

For the Lord will consume them with the spirit of his mouth....like a stream of brimstone:

(2 Th 2:8 KJV) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

For the curses of the Law set the land of the wicked on fire and they are overthrown like Sodom and Gomarrah, Admah and Zeboim:

Deu 29: 21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
22 So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;
23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?
25 Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:
26 For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
27 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
28 And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

[Brother Les]

Are you speaking of First Century 'Israel'?.....for that is the context of most of your verses.

Brother Les

[shawn]

Hi Brother Les,

No.....I'm speaking of the end of this age. Just consider these things as me "thinking out loud".

Shawn

[shawn]

Why is the "lake of fire" a "lake?" To explore this, first we need to look at the word for "lake" which is "limne" which means a pond (large or small)...lake....and its from "limen".....which is "harbor"....through the idea of the nearness of the shore. And that is where I want to focus first on......the "nearness of the shore" idea. It is the "shore" where Jesus stood on when some of the disciples went fishing after his resurrection:

John 21: 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

It is the area where Jesus "showed" himself:

John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself.

It was at the shore that the people "knew" Jesus....this is after the disciples saw him walking on the sea:

Mark 6: 53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

This shore was in the land of "Gennesaret" ....which means "harp-shaped"....and the "harp" stands for the Word of God. The Lake of Gennesaret....the Lake of the harp....is another name of the Sea of Galilee. If one looks at an aerial of the Sea of Galilee, it is in the shape of a harp. The Sea of Galilee also had another name...the Lake of Tiberius...which means of the river "Tiber"...or the river of "water"....hence the Word of God is of the river of Life...the living water.

Lake of Gennesaret.....the lake of the "harp"....the Word of God is like a harp....the people "pressed upon" Jesus at the Lake of Gennesaret....the "harp" to hear the Word of God from him:

(Luke 5:1 KJV) And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

It is the "harp" that "dark sayings" are opened upon:

Psalms 49: 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

The hidden knowledge of the Scriptures are opened up so we can understand them....it is Jesus who opens it up through his words....we are to "hear what the Spirit" says.

At the lake of Gennesaret, Jesus entered into a ship where a little off shore he sat down and taught the people:

(Luke 5:3 KJV) And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

He went in Simon's ship...."Simon" means "hearing"....Jesus teaches those who "hear what the Spirit says" with the "harp"....the Word of God...at the shore of "the lake of Gennesaret." And then note what Jesus tells "Simon"....those "who hear what the Spirit says:"

Luke 5: 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

To "launch out into the deep".....means to bring out the mysteries of the Scriptures with understanding....and to "let your nets for a draught"....means to teach others the deep, hidden meanings of the Scriptures that we have heard from Jesus. The word for "deep" is "bathos" which figurativly means "mystery" or depth..........to "launch" is to "thrust out".....hence we get "to put out the mysteries"( for others to hear) of the Scriptures with understanding.....the "net." With the understanding of the Scriptures, we can "enclose a great multitude of fishes"....to catch a great many people for the Lord...so far, it has been the "night" where no one has been able to work....Satan has tested the church...sifted it as wheat....and it has been asleep....as Simon answers that they had worked all night and have "taken nothing:"

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

The "Simon"s...those "who hear what the Spirit says"....hear the word of the Lord and "let down the net."

6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

And again, Jesus teaches the multitudes at "the shore:"

Matthew 13: 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And it is also at the "shore" that the "net" is drawn to.....and the "bad" is cast away....the messengers of the Lord will sever the wicked from among the just:

Matthew 13: 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

The messengers are instructed about the kingdom of heaven.......from the Lord's mouth and are able to teach ...to bring "forth out of his treasure things new and old"....to "let down the net" and to sever the wicked from among the just:

52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

And it is in the presence of the Lord and his holy messengers (angels) that the wicked are "tormented" with fire and brimstone:

(Rev 14:10 KJV) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

The "heavens" being on fire will be dissolved......melted....liquefied:

(2 Pet 3:12 KJV) 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?

The "heavens' are the people who now rule over the current religious system....the way things are will no longer be........they will be dissolved...their power will be broken up and destroyed......they will be "on fire"....." puroo"....which means "to be ignited"...figuratively to be inflamed with anger, grief, lust....gnashing of teeth....weeping. Their iniquities will consume them (burn them) into losing their control over the people....for people will depart Babylon.

The "host" or "mass of persons" of heaven shall be dissolved........rendered powerless:

(Isa 34:4 KJV) And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

The wicked will "melt" away...." ma'ac"....which means "to spurn, disappear, REJECT, REPROBATE, vile person".....the wicked will become of a "reprobate" mind.

Psalms 58: 7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

As a snail which "melteth"....."liquefication"

8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

And again...the wicked will be grieved or angry....in a rage....and shall gnash with his teeth and "melt" away.

(Psa 112:10 KJV) The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Their "melting" as water vanishes away......becoming a "lake"...where the righteous are not....where they are consumed away in wickedness. The wicked "pass away"....without seeing the sun.....without understanding truth....when Jesus speaks, they will not understand his word.

(Dan 12:10 KJV) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Babylon has fallen and become a habitation of all unclean things and people:

(Rev 18:2 KJV) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Babylon will be like the swine who rushed violently down a steep place into the lake and were "choked".....
"apopnigo"...."to stifle by drowning or overgrowth".....in this case the "overgrowth" is wickedness.

(Luke 8:33 KJV) Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

The unclean spirit goes out of the man by Jesus' words.....the Word of God is the "harp" that is played....the "dark sayings" are opened up upon it.....just as David played the harp for Saul and the "evil spirit" departed.

(1 Sam 16:23 KJV) And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

[shawn]

As the net was so full, they (in Simon’s ship) beckoned to their partners to help. They filled both ships and began to 'sink'…." buthizo' which is from 'epithumeo' which means 'to set the heart upon'….those who 'hear what the Spirit says'…."Simon'…set their hearts upon doing the will of the Lord.

Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

The partners were James and John:

Luke 5: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

James and John were sons of 'Zebedee'…..meaning 'gift.' It is the gift of God to hear the Word of God in an intelligent manner….to be able to hear and speak what the Lord has said….to be messengers (angels) of the Lord. It is no accident that James and John were the ones who came and helped Simon…..for they were called the 'sons of thunder' by the Lord Jesus:

(Mark 3:17 KJV) And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

To speak the deep mysteries of the Word of God is to speak what is heard from His voice….and His voice is like thunder

(Rev 14:2 KJV) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

This all took place on Lake Gennesaret….the 'harp'….which is the Word of God….so we have Jesus teaching at the Lake….'a voice from heaven'…..teaching from the waters of Gennesaret….teaching the multitude with the living water.."the voice of many waters'…..with the voice of a great thunder….James and John…."the sons of thunder' came to help….upon the Lake Gennesaret….upon the 'harp.' The voice of the 'harpers' hear the Word of God from heaven…..who hear what the Spirit says….and repeat what they have learned…they interpret the Word of God with a 'new song.' James, John and Simon represent all who 'hear what the Spirit says'….."James' being the Greek word for 'Jacob'….John….the 'beloved' of the Lord and Simon…."hearing.'

They 'forsook' all to follow the Lord. They lost their lives to preserve them…they set their hearts to do the Lord’s will.

(Luke 5:11 KJV) And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

[shawn]

James and John....the "sons of thunder" were of the "messengers" who Jesus sent before his "face"...or "presence." Of all the bible translations, none that I have seen translate "aggelos" here in Luke 9 into "angels"....they all translate it into "messengers." The term "angels" can apply to people who have the message of God within themselves....and speak it.

Luke 9: 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

This is very symbolic of what happens at the end of this age....Jesus sends his messengers to the "Samaritans"....."Samaria" means "watch-mountain or watch- tower"......indicating he sends his messengers to the leaders....those in high places of the church.....but they do not receive the message given to them. They were sent "to make ready for him".....that is.... the Elijah for the church.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

But it is not the business of the messengers to bring fire down from heaven to consume them. James and John compare themselves to Elijah for they are doing the work in the spirit and power of Elijah:

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

For the Son of man comes with his messengers to save lives from the prison that Satan has put them into....the "tribulation." They preach the message of deliverance.....salvation.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

"James" is Greek for "Jacob"......and "Jacob" is collectively a name for the 12 tribes of Israel.....a catch-all name for Israel. "James" or "Jacob" and John are the messengers of God (the angels)......they are the 144,000 of the 12 tribes in Revelation....12,000 from each tribe...."James"...."Jacob."

Jesus made a forward-looking statement:

(Mat 26:53 KJV) Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Some say that "twelve legions" is 144,000....I tend to agree.....the 12 legions of "angels" are the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation. Jesus said that the Father can "presently" give him more than 12 legions...."presently" is the word "paristemi" which means to "stand beside".....the Father can make 12 legions of angels "stand beside" Jesus.....and this is the image we get in Revelation:

(Rev 14:1 KJV) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Jesus calls God "Father" in Matthew 26:53 and the "Father's" name is written on the foreheads of the 144,000. The 144,000 "stand beside"(with) the Lamb on mount Zion. The 144,000 (the messengers) repeat what is heard from heaven (as a voice of many waters....as the voice of a great thunder.) They interpret the Word of God by what they hear.....they play the "harp"....."harpers harping with their harps."

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

The messengers gather together his elect who have been scattered out by the messengers of Satan:

(Mark 13:27 KJV) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Their job is to preach ...to announce the good news....their job is to "save lives".....not to bring fire down from heaven:

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

For there is another messenger (angel) who has the power over the fire:

(Rev 14:18 KJV) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.


Satan has kept the church in "tribulation"....and the good news is that Jesus lets his people out....gives them power to overcome and to wash their robes in his blood...for he is merciful:

(Rev 7:14 KJV) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For it has been "night" for the church.....in darkness under the trial by Satan....but the spiritual morning dawns.....where Jesus gives us the "morning star." The "night" will be no more:


(Rev 22:5 KJV) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Those in the trial by Satan are hungry and thirsty for spiritual food....for his ministers do not keep the flock....but Jesus comes to feed the flock and gives to those thirsty living water:

Revelation 7: 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The "living fountains of waters" are people who Jesus sends....his messengers...that hear what the Spirit says and repeat what the Spirit and the bride say and they say....."Come."

(Rev 22:17 KJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[shawn]

No 'guile' was found in the mouths of the 144,000…no deceit….no trickery to delude those of the body of Christ:

(Rev 14:5 KJV) And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Nathanael was also a man whom Jesus found "no guile" within his mouth.. 'Nathanael' means 'gift of God' as does 'Zebedee' who was the father of James and John….the sons of Zebedee. 'Nathanael' is symbolic of the 144,000....the gift of God...or "God has given."

John 1: 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

It is interesting to note that Philip finds Nathanael….and tells him to 'come and see.'

John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

'Philip' means 'lover of horses'….we find the phrase 'come and see' 4 times in Revelation at the opening of the first 4 seals in which the 4 horses (Philip…fond of horses) are beheld:

Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

The beasts told John to 'come and see'….therefore another connection to the 144,000. John….one of the sons of 'Zebedee'....meaning'the gift of God' and "Nathanael"...meaning "gift of God."

John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Nathanael is linked to Jacob’s ladder….and so the 144,000 are also. The Son of man is Christ and his messengers (the angels)…..they are the 'ladder' that the angels ascend and descend upon. 'James'= 'Jacob' = the Son of man = Jacob’s ladder.

The ladder was 'set up' on the earth…..the 144,000….and the 'top' or 'ro'sh'….which means 'head' reached heaven….the 'head' is Christ.

(Gen 28:12 KJV) And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

As Jacob beheld the ladder that was appointed on the earth, he also perceived that the Lord 'stood above it'….this also could be rendered that the Lord 'stood BESIDE it' ….just as the 144,000 stood with the Lamb on mount Zion….just as the 12 legions of angels can stand with Jesus at his prayer.

13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

The angels were ascending and descending upon it.

An angel ascended from the east to give instruction to seal the 144,000. The angel ascends from the "east"...or the rising light....from the spiritual dawn.

(Rev 7:2 KJV) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

John....the son of Zebedee...one of the "sons of thunder"....saw a door opened in heaven....heaven was "opened"....and he was told to "come up hither".....or ascend. The messengers of God are to spiritually "ascend" to hear and understand the mysteries of God...heaven is opened.

(Rev 4:1 KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

A "door" was opened in heaven.....Jacob saw that the ladder was the "gate of heaven:"

(Gen 28:17 KJV) And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

The messengers (the 144,000....spiritually of the 12 tribes of Jacob) of the Son of man are the "gates of heaven" on earth....they possess the wisdom of God.....pearls. At the gates are twelve angels...and on them the names of the twelve tribes:

(Rev 21:12 KJV) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

The "gates" are to "lift up." From A Psalm of "David"....meaning "beloved".....John....a "son of thunder" and a son of "Zebedee"...."gift of God"....the "beloved" disciple of the Lord:

(Psa 24:1 KJV) A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

"Who shall ASCEND" into the hill or mount of the Lord? The "hill of the Lord" is mount Zion where the Lamb spiritually stands...."who shall STAND in his holy place?" The 144,000 (the angels of the Lord) stand with the Lamb.

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

(Rev 14:1 KJV) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

And continuing from Psalms....those who have clean hands, a pure heart, and have not lifted his soul unto vanity.....and nor sworn deceitfully....that is, there is "NO GUILE" within their mouths.....just as Nathanael and the 144,000...the angels of the Son of man who are to come forth....to be His servants.

(Psa 24:4 KJV) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

The angels of the Lord seek His face.........they are "Jacob" (of the 12 tribes)..."James"....the "sons of thunder"....the son of "Zebedee"..."gift of God"..they receive "blessing" and "righteousness" from the God of their salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

They seek His face with all their minds, hearts and souls...and they shall see His face...they are the servants who shall serve him:

Rev 22: 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And continuing from Psalms 24....the "gates" are to "lift up"...the angels are to ascend and let the King of glory come in:

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

To lift up their heads.....to have the Father's name written on their foreheads...as the 144,000 in Revelation.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

The "gates" will not be shut.....everything hidden will be revealed...and there will be no "night":

(Rev 21:25 KJV) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

The messengers of the Son of man speak the mysteries of the Lord by what they hear the Spirit saying in heaven. They act as the conduit of the Lord.....the "gates of heaven." The King of glory comes "in" His saints:

(2 Th 1:10 KJV) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

All who believe in their testimonies and do the Lord's commandments have the right to the Tree of Life...and may enter in through the "gates" of the city...the New Jerusalem....the wisdom of God....which is peace and life and truth.

(Rev 22:14 KJV) 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.

For the Lord himself descends from heaven...with the voice of the "archangel":

(1 Th 4:16 KJV) 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:

Descending angels:

(Rev 10:1 KJV) And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

(Rev 16:1 KJV) And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

(Rev 18:1 KJV) And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

(Rev 20:1 KJV) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

[shawn]

Satan has put the church in prison....to test it....to try it.......the church has been in the "tribulation" for quite awhile now........"ye shall have tribulation ten days:"

(Rev 2:10 KJV) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The ten days is a spiritual reference pointing to when Daniel was "proved" or tested for 10 days by eating "pulse" and drinking water instead of the king of Babylon's meat and wine. The Hebrew word for "pulse" is "zeroa" which means "something sown". It could be vegetables, grain or (spiritually) the good seed that the Son of man sows.

Daniel 1: 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

During the ten days, the children ate the king of Babylon's meat and drank his wine. Likewise, the church has within it those who have eaten things sacrificed to idols (caused by the doctrine of Balaam teachings and Jezebel’s teachings). These teachings also cause people to "commit fornication"...spiritual fornication...."fornication" is compared to drinking the wine of Babylon. The eating and drinking theme is prominent in Revelation.

(Rev 2:14 KJV) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

(Rev 2:20 KJV) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

They have been made to drink the wine of her (Babylon's) fornication:

(Rev 14:8 KJV) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

(Rev 17:2 KJV) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Those who no longer partake of the meat and wine of Babylon…to the ones who have overcome, Jesus will give the right to eat of the tree of life.

(Rev 2:7 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Jesus gives the ones who have overcome the 'hidden manna'.

(Rev 2:17 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The countenance of the ones eating from the tree of life….eating the hidden manna….will be 'fairer and fatter' (as stated in Daniel) than those who have eaten things sacrificed to idols and have drunk the wine of fornication.

Jesus stands at the door knocking…if we understand his voice and open the door, he will come and DINE with us:

(Rev 3:20 KJV) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

He will feed us with spiritual food and drink…those that are thirsty will be given water from the water of life:

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

There are those in Babylon that hunger and thirst. Daniel drank just water and not the wine of Babylon...the Lord offers us the water of life:

(Rev 22:17 KJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The church has been "scattered among the nations" and there are few who have not defiled their garments:

(Deu 4:27 KJV) And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

There are those in the church who have bowed down to the work of their own hands...building things, planting, buying, selling, etc.....wonderful works done in His name....but they are really the works of their own hands.....this is akin to serving other gods:

28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

But if we overcome these things....seeking Him with all of our hearts and souls....we shall find Him and He will be merciful and forgive us.

29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

For the church is in the "tribulation" now and has been....the tribulation by Satan....in the "latter days:"

30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

The 144,000 (the angels of God) stand with the Lamb.....he is the "Lamb" because God is merciful and forgives our going astray.....even now. Those in the church who have eaten Babylon's food are to be forgiven if they "hear" and obey His voice. They shall come out of the "tribulation" brought on by Satan and his messengers:

(Rev 7:14 KJV) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The "tribulation" is to come to an end. The order of things now in the church will be ending....the leaders in high places will have the sun darkened over them....the powers will be dissolved....and fear and dread will come over them as they see a change coming.

Mark 13: 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.


The "shepherds" will "howl" and cry as the Lord spoils their pasture:


Jeremiah 25: 34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.

The "kings of the earth" will "bewail" and lament for Babylon....for she will burn and they will lose their positions over the flock of God....the sun will be darkened and the "stars of heaven shall fall".....they lose their positions over the flock.

Revelation 18: 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

And the 144,000 will gather together the flock of God where they had been scattered under the "tribulation" by Satan that was allowed by God:

(Mark 13:27 KJV) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

The elect of God will be gathered from the four winds of heaven.....they will be delivered from Babylon:

(Zec 2:6 KJV) Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

[shawn]

Paul wrote to the early church (and to all of us) about the coming 'tribulation' of the church by Satan….to put on the whole armor of God to be able to 'stand against' the time of trial:

(Eph 6:11 KJV) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we 'wrestle' against the rulers of the darkness of this world….spiritual wickedness in the heavens:

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.

They were allowed….ordained…by God to perform a function….that is why they are referred to as the 'stars of heaven.' They are rulers of the 'night' of the church…allowed by God. It has been the 'evil day' of the church.

13 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.

God has justified their existence…….He justifies the wicked…for they are serving a purpose:

(Rom 4:5 KJV) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Paul knew about the coming 'evil day' of the church...the coming of the "night" where no man can "work"... and warned us about it:

(Acts 20:29 KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

The 'evil day' or 'evil time' was predicted by Solomon as well:

(Eccl 9:12 KJV) For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

The 'sons of men' are those of the church that have fallen into the snare of Satan and his messengers. They are those who have entered into the wide gate of 'destruction' or ruin…they have fallen into the trial by Satan….many have entered into it:

(Mat 7:13 KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

'Few' have entered through the narrow gate…..'few' in the church have not stained their garments…..it is no wonder Paul’s name means 'little'…..for those who have not gone through the wide gate of 'little' or few. There are many who have fallen prey to the 'false prophets.'

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Satan’s messengers are preachers…who have set traps…..they have teachings like nets that have caught many people…they are the gates of ruin that people have entered through….they pose as messengers of light….they had transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ:

(2 Cor 11:13 KJV) 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.

The early church (the church in 'Ephesus'…meaning 'first') readily recognized these false apostles:

(Rev 2:2 KJV) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

But many of the church eventually fell asleep and fell into the trial of Satan…they fell into temptation….the tares were sown while 'men slept:'

(Mat 13:25 KJV) But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

The 'tares' are those who pose as messengers of light. When the early church sprung up and started to bring forth fruit….then 'appeared' the tares also. The Greek word for 'appeared' is 'phaino' which means 'to lighten or shine'….hence, they are 'messengers of light'….they are the 'stars of heaven'….rulers of the 'night'….allowed by God to perform a function:

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So God has allowed the 'tares' to stay within the kingdom of heaven…as stars of heaven…until the harvest….the end of this age:

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
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.

When the tares are gathered out of the kingdom….then the righteous can shine like the sun….for it will be the spiritual day….for there will not be 'night' there…the church will no longer be asleep:

(Mat 13:43 KJV) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

For the church had only possessed the kingdom for just a little while until the tares 'appeared' as messengers of light…they are the 'adversaries' who have trodden down the sanctuary:

(Isa 63:18 KJV) The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

For now that we understand the condition of the church….we are to wake up out of our sleep…for the deliverance of the Lord is upon us….to be delivered from the prison of Satan…to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light and to wage war for the faith:

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

[Brother Les]

Hi Brother Les,

No.....I'm speaking of the end of this age. Just consider these things as me "thinking out loud".

Shawn



Hi Shawn,

The Age that we are in, The Messianic Age....Has no end.

Most of the Scripture that you are using is for the (then) coming of the 'End of The Mosaic Age'.

Brother Les

[shawn]

Hi Brother Les,

Yes,the Scriptures applied to the end of that age and in my belief, they currently apply to the end of this age.

I see the condition of the church today, Brother Les, and I do not see the same church as the early church that we read about. The early church was of one mind and heart....do we see this today? Is today the age of restoration? You and I can't even agree on what Scriptures says....and so there are many various different beliefs that others also hold that don't agree with our individual interpretations. The contradictions in interpretation and beliefs are seeming without end....endless! Is this the church Christ had in mind? Is there not something wrong with this picture? Can the church be really effective in spreading the gospel in its current condition of confusion? Can people look around their churches and not see confusion, strife, envying, arguments, greed, power struggles, adultery, etc, etc?

What we see today is no different than when Jesus came to his own....there were lovers of money:

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

There are lovers of money today in our fellowships.. There are people selling their religious goods and services to us...they seek to make of us merchandise....the only thing that they really care for is money...just as the Pharisees loved money. We see people selling things just as they did in the temple:

Mark 11: 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Christ comes again to drive out those who have made the Father's house a den of thieves.....he comes to drive out the moneychangers from his kingdom.

We saw in that day people who follow after the commandments of men....do we not see this today? Do we not see people who honor God with their lips and yet their hearts are somewhere else?

Matthew 15: 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Are we really honoring God with our multi million dollar church buildings or our great ministries or our endless production of songs or our good works that we do for the whole world to see? Are we not building a "name for ourselves".....the city and tower of Babel all over again:

(Gen 11:4 KJV) And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

And like at Babel, we do not understand each other....our interpretations of the Word of God are so vastly different. Is this really the age of restoration? I think not. We have gone full circle....and this time when Christ comes....all things will be restored. Elijah comes to restore all things.

Mark 9: 12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Christ is in heaven until the times of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS....all things are to be restored!

(Acts 3:21 KJV) Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

The whole world will be covered with the knowledge of God.

(Isa 11:9 KJV) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Do we see this today??

Don't we see hurt and tears within our churches....don't we see a lack of love today? Don't we see worldliness where it should not be? The church needs to be raised from "death"...to have "death" swallowed up in victory. The "death" are the ungodly men within our churches..they are the "tares" among the wheat....they are the "sorrows of death" that compass the body of Christ....we shall be saved from the enemies:

Psalms 18: 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.


"Death will be swallowed up in victory" = the "noise of strangers" will be brought down = "the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low = Moab shall be trodden down under him as straw is trodden down. The "death" that will be swallowed in victory is the removal of the tares among the wheat....then the righteous can shine in the kingdom as the sun.


Isaiah 25: 5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.


We shall shine as the sun....the "Sun of righteousness" will arise with HEALING from the current condition of the effects of the tares within our presence:

(Mal 4:2 KJV) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

[shawn]

The "enemies" are the "tares" among us.....they were sown while men "slept"....but it is time to "awake" and depart from dwelling in the "dust:"

(Isa 26:19 KJV) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.


We are to "awake" and put on strength....for hereafter the "unclean" will no longer come into the kingdom of heaven....they will no longer rule the "night" for night will not be there:

Isaiah 52: 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

The church is to "shake thyself from the dust"....

2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

We have been "captives"....there has been bands upon our necks. We have been asleep in the "dust".....under the influence of the "tares" and their teachings:

(Dan 12:2 KJV) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

The "enemies" have kept the body of Christ down in weakness...but it will be raised in power and victory...it will be redeemed:

Psalms 18: 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

They had come to consume:

(Psa 27:2 KJV) When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Like meat given to the "fowls of heaven" has his body been given to:

(Psa 79:2 KJV) The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

For wherever the body of Christ is, there the eagles have gathered together to feed:

(Mat 24:28 KJV) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.


But we are to raise our heads...for our redemption is near....our salvation from this condition:

(Luke 21:28 KJV) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

For the church will be raised incorruptible.....the "tares" will no longer have power over us...."death" is swallowed up in victory.....where will their sting be then? Where is their victory over us? For they have led us astray......into sin....and that was their source of strength.....that was the power that they used.....the strength of sin is the law:

(1 Cor 15:54 KJV) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Rose]

Yes,the Scriptures applied to the end of that age and in my belief, they currently apply to the end of this age.

I see the condition of the church today, Brother Les, and I do not see the same church as the early church that we read about. The early church was of one mind and heart....do we see this today? Is today the age of restoration? You and I can't even agree on what Scriptures says....and so there are many various different beliefs that others also hold that don't agree with our individual interpretations. The contradictions in interpretation and beliefs are seeming without end....endless! Is this the church Christ had in mind? Is there not something wrong with this picture? Can the church be really effective in spreading the gospel in its current condition of confusion? Can people look around their churches and not see confusion, strife, envying, arguments, greed, power struggles, adultery, etc, etc?

Hi Shawn,

Just one comment about the condition of the Church today compared with that of first century Israel.

When I read the different Churches that Paul addresses in his Epistles, and the Seven Churches that are sent warning letters in Revelation (which we know at least had a first application to seven literal churches in the first century), I see greed, power, strife, adultery, envy, etc, etc, etc, all alive and well in those churches, as they are in many of todays churches.

So I think if the Gospel could be spread in first century Israel, it surely can go forth today, despite the current condition of the Church.

Rose

[shawn]

Hi Rose,


No doubt the gospel still goes forth.....the Lord still draws people to Him....He moves their hearts toward Christ...God gives the increase. But there is a wide gate of "destruction" that many enter through......they immediately are caught up in the snares of those who don't feed them with the spiritual sustenance that is needed to grow up in Christ....they remain babes in Christ....they remain "carnal" in nature....for that is the condition of most churches:

(1 Cor 3:1 KJV) 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 ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Are not most churches "carnal"......the things that cause divisions....denominations...are the symptoms of being immature in Christ.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

We are God's building....one building....but it is man who causes the divisions.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Indeed, you are correct.....the "mystery of lawlessness" was already at work in the early church. The very early church was more of one mind and heart. Paul warned people for three years....in tears about the wolves and those who would rise up and lead others astray after his departure. Their problems were the same but not as prevalent as today. Let's take the wheat and the tares parable....the tares went unnoticed until the church "sprung up" and brought forth fruit....."sprung" is " blastano" which means "to sprout".....as in young church....the early church's blade sprung up and brought forth fruit....then appeared the tares.

Matthew 13: 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

But instead of uprooting them then....they were allowed to grow together with the wheat:

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.

The point is, wickedness was allowed to grow along with the wheat.....it has a cup to fill....it started out small and has grown more prevalent among our churches. The "evil men" and the imposters (tares) shall "wax worse and worse"....

(2 Tim 3:13 KJV) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Satan was allowed to make war with the saints....with the church...and OVERCOME them:

(Rev 13:7 KJV) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Satan was allowed to "scatter the power of the holy people."

(Dan 12:7 KJV) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, 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.

Things would get so bad that Jesus wondered if he would find faith on earth:

(Luke 18:8 KJV) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

And he made this statement as he was being led away to be crucified:

(Luke 23:31 KJV) For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

If they did these things to his body while the tree was green.....what would they do to his body in the drought or famine? We are living in the drought.....now. We are in the famine of hearing the Words of God.
Rose, we are living in the "night" of the church...the "night" Jesus warned us of.:

(John 9:4 KJV) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

"NO MAN" is working the works of God at this stage.....in the "night." There isn't a "church" that is doing the works of God. The idea of what we call "church" today was set up by someone else long ago....we have inherited the "sins of the fathers."

(Lam 5:7 KJV) Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.

"Servants" have ruled over us........the tares rule over us.....only Jesus can deliver us out of their hands. Those early church fathers have taught the children to sin....they have passed along their teachings, traditions, and commandments of men......they will be called "least" in the kingdom of heaven:

(Mat 5:19 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

They....those servants....will bear their iniquity:

(Ezek 44:10 KJV) And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.

Yet....they will be called least in the kingdom of heaven........having charge at the gates of the house...."I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

11 Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.
12 Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Those servants will lose their positions....they will not be able to come near the holy things in the most holy place:

13 And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.
14 But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein.

Those stewards who are accused of "wasting his goods" ....are to no longer be stewards......but at the understanding of their situation....they can now lighted the burden placed on the people underneath them....who are in their care:

(Luke 16:1 KJV) And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

[Brother Les]

Rose Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn
Yes,the Scriptures applied to the end of that age and in my belief, they currently apply to the end of this age.

I see the condition of the church today, Brother Les, and I do not see the same church as the early church that we read about. The early church was of one mind and heart....do we see this today? Is today the age of restoration? Is this the church Christ had in mind? Is there not something wrong with this picture? Can the church be really effective in spreading the gospel in its current condition of confusion? Can people look around their churches and not see confusion, strife, envying, arguments, greed, power struggles, adultery, etc, etc?
Hi Shawn,

Just one comment about the condition of the Church today compared with that of first century Israel.

When I read the different Churches that Paul addresses in his Epistles, and the Seven Churches that are sent warning letters in Revelation (which we know at least had a first application to seven literal churches in the first century), I see greed, power, strife, adultery, envy, etc, etc, etc, all alive and well in those churches, as they are in many of todays churches.

So I think if the Gospel could be spread in first century Israel, it surely can go forth today, despite the current condition of the Church.

Rose


Hello Sister Rose.
I wanted to post something to this effect, also. Then I thought...oh well....let Shawn preach on.


The early church was of one mind and heart....


The Jerusalem Christian Jews worshipped at The Temple + Jesus. As 'they' were still under the Mosaic Law.
The Gentile 'Churchs' were 'never' 'under' 'The Law'...but the Judeizers (Christian Jews) tried to put them under the Law of Stone.


Is today the age of restoration?

Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

The 'Restoration' was in 70AD. Do you know what was to be 'Restored'?


You and I can't even agree on what Scriptures says....and so there are many various different beliefs that others also hold that don't agree with our individual interpretations. The contradictions in interpretation and beliefs are seeming without end....endless!


We are all of different paradigms. 'We' do not need to agree what 'we' think Scripture says. 'We' need to agree on what the paradigm of First Century Christian Jews, Gentiles and The Temple Leadership believe what the First Testment Scripture says.


Luk 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.


Luk 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed [him]. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?


Luk 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard [it], they said, God forbid.


Luk 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?


Luk 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.


Luk 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.


The parable was 'against' them and their Generation.


Blessings
Brother Les

[shawn]

Quote from Brother Les:



We are all of different paradigms. 'We' do not need to agree what 'we' think Scripture says. 'We' need to agree on what the paradigm of First Century Christian Jews, Gentiles and The Temple Leadership believe what the First Testment Scripture says.





Do I really need to believe that everything is PAST already......isn't that like saying the resurrection is past?

(2 Tim 2:18 KJV) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

How am I to keep awake and watch for Jesus if I'm comfortably numb knowing there is nothing left to look forward to?

The resurrection has not past already.......the resurrection of the church that is....from the sins and works of darkness that it currently it finds itself. "Our bones are dried"....our hope is lost because of the trial by Satan....the "hour of temptation" that the church is enduring....we are in the drought...we are in the famine:

(Ezek 37:11 KJV) Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Jesus has the keys of Hades and death....he tells this TO the seven churches....why? because they are in a grave....we are all in a grave....knowing and seeing nothing....a condition where there is no knowledge and wisdom and no true works of God:

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

We have been scattered....it is the "night" of the church....read about the night before Christ was crucified...it is highly symbolic of what would happen to the church.

(Mat 26:31 KJV) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

"All ye shall be offended"......"offended"....means to "entrap...to entice to sin....to stumble....APOSTASY" ...the church has fallen into apostasy....it has fallen asleep....into temptation. Peter, I liken to the church, could not keep awake with Christ for "one hour".....during the "hour of temptation"....during the "power of darkness"....the church has also fallen asleep in the "night" of Gethsemane....the "oil press"....the time of "tribulation"....the time of distress and sorrow unto "death" of the church.

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Don't worry, Brother Les, my preaching will come to an end shortly here.

Shawn

[Brother Les]

Do I really need to believe that everything is PAST already......isn't that like saying the resurrection is past?
(2 Tim 2:18 KJV) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

How am I to keep awake and watch for Jesus if I'm comfortably numb knowing there is nothing left to look forward to?


Shawn, I could say a lot about this concept of 'Resurrection'....but I will let it 'pass' at this time. This is your 'Hope'...for a new 'Resurrection' and 'a' 'New Day'. Shawn, I do not need to 'Hope for' something that I already have...I am of the 'New Creation' and I 'Have Been' 'Resurrected' to Life Eternal.


Don't worry, Brother Les, my preaching will come to an end shortly here.

Shawn

I pray that you do not stop your posting on the things that are on your heart. Your concern about the state of 'The Church' and 'The World' shows in what you have layed out. I will agree that everything that you are saying is so very true 'in the context' that you are looking at it. Do you realize, Brother Shawn, (I know that you are my Brother in Christ) that when we are reading most of The New Testment, that we are reading 'someone else's mail'.....mail....that was not 'addressed' to 'us', who live in the 21st century. This is 'mail' that was addressed to different groups of people in The First Century.Galations,... Romans, ...Ephesians,... Timothy. Written directly to 'them' in order to understand the events that would happen to them in their generation. That is not to say that 'all' 'Scripture' is 'Past' as there are many 'commands' that Christians need to do and understand that are 'never ending'.

1Cr 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.


1Cr 4:20 For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.


1Cr 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?

Phl 2:19 ¶ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.


Phl 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

You used the term 'shortly'. If 'we' use the same standards as what somepreachers use 'today'. The Corinthians are 'still' waiting for Paul to visit the 'shortly'. Are the Phillipians 'still' waiting for Paul to send Timothy to them...'shortly'..., No....by that same token, I do not believe that you will be finished posting 'shortly'...if you are posting 2,000 years from now. See my point?


I am glad that you are 'here' at The Biblewheel...please...preach on...and as God asks, "let Us come together and reason together.

God Bless
Brother Les

[shawn]

Brother Les,

I consider you a brother in Christ.

Yes, indeed, the epistles were written to the respective people and churches….but they also pertain very much to us today. I constantly look at the meanings of the names….I get much more information by doing that. For example, 'Timothy' means 'dear or valuable to God'….we are all 'dear to God.' We are 'Timothy'….yes, Paul addressed Timothy 2000 years ago…..and he is also addressing the 'Timothy’s' of today….those 'dear to God' who are destined to fight for the faith…who is to preach the Word in season and out of season:

(1 Tim 1:18 KJV) This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

The 'Timothy' of today is to teach in meekness those that oppose what is said….hoping God will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth….for the 'Timothy' of today is to teach what he hears the Lord say….hoping that those who hear him will 'wake up' and recover themselves out of the snare of Satan….who has taken the church captive at his will:

2 Timothy 3: 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

'In the last days'….the last days of the church…..there will be those who will not listen but…..'let the unjust be unjust still'

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For at 'Timothy’s' teaching…they resist what will be taught…they oppose the truth in the last days of this age….for the church has only known in part the entire truth…. at the end of this age Jesus speaks and tells us the meanings of the things that are and will be…..it is his revelation.

Moses’ own people resisted his teaching…..so also some of our own will resist:

(2 Tim 3:8 KJV) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

The 'Timothy' of today is to study….to be able to rightly divide the Word…to correctly expound or interpret the Word:

(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The 'Timothy’s' of today are to give diligent attention to public reading and teaching of the Scriptures….until the Lord comes:

(1 Tim 4:13 KJV) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

'Timothy' is not to neglect the gift of correctly dividing the Word which was given by God :

(1 Tim 4:14 KJV) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

'Timothy' is to give himself wholly to understanding the Word of God….to meditate…to think constantly about it….to preach what is heard….so that his 'profiting' may appear to all….to see his progress of understanding of the Scriptures.

(1 Tim 4:15 KJV) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

For the 'Timothy' of today may save those who hear...if he continues to study and preach….that they of the church may recover themselves from the prison of Satan….to hear Jesus’ words…for he (Jesus) has the keys of Hades and death….so that the church may be released.

(1 Tim 4:16 KJV) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

For the 'Timothy’s' of today are to preach the word….but he is to realize that the time will come….and is here….that some will not endure sound doctrine. That when the 'Timothy' of today preaches the truth of our Lord Jesus….some will 'turn away their ears.'

2 Timothy 4: 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Brother Les, do you have faith that you and I can be the 'Timothy' of today? I pray that you do.

May "Timothy" come to us shortly.

[Brother Les]

Rev 22:6 ¶ And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.


Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 [I]He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Rev 22:12 ¶ And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.


He that is unjust, let him be unjust 'still'? For 2,000 years 'men' have been proclaiming 'The End of The Age'. That we 'are' sooo close to 'the end', that they 'unjust' should 'stay' filthy 'still'...that makes very little sense if we are at 'the end'. The Apostles were told NOT to preach of 'the end' until it was 'time' and 'they' admonished many for proclaiming that 'the end' had 'come' when it 'has not'....then in the late 50s, early 60s AD, there is a 'rush' of letters 'to the churches' that the 'end' was coming 'soon'. Well 'soon' is not 2,000 years off. Were they wrong to write about'the end' if it was more than 2,000 years away. Are 'they' false prophets, and so not to be 'believed'? I think not....so let us think about this....

2Th 1:6 Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,


2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:


The Apostle Paul said that these people would see tribulation and have 'Vengeamce' on those who had persecuted 'them' (in his 'day'). They lived to 'see' that in their generation.

Rom 13:11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Hbr 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.


Was all of the writers saying that 'The Church Age' was to 'end' so soon, just when it got started? Do you realize that 'The Mosaic Age' was still in effect when ALL of the New Testement Books (Letters) were written? This was 'The Age' that was to end. The Temple was standing and 'The Christian Sects' were still deemed to being part of 'Judaism' (Religion of 'the Jews). Christianity was not 'a' stand alone Religion during The First Century, it was a Sect-tion of the Mosaic Religious Cultus that started at Mt. Sinia. The 'conection' to the Temple Worship system was not fully seviered until the Temple and Jerusalem was destroyed (well after most if not all of the New Testment Books were written) We are 'in' The Messianic Age (Church age if you want to use that term) we are 'in' the Age 'to come'....Jesus was born under The Law and He lived in 'This (evil) Age' and He spoke of the 'Age to Come'. The Mosaic Age did not end at The Cross (Jesus was 'the Final Sacrifice'). But as with the Mosaic Covnenant and 'The People wandering in the wilderness for 40years(type), also from Pentecost to the Temple Holicost of 40yeatrs was the Anti-type. Both are a 'New Creation' that were born of a Betrothal to wed and became consemated after one generation of courtship.


What say you? Joe, Ram?

Blessings Brother Shawn
Brother Les

[shawn]

The Lord is to come:

(Rev 1:4 KJV) John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;


(Rev 1:3 KJV) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The time was at hand for the judgment to begin at the house of God....on the seven churches...it began quickly...it started 2000 years ago....the judgment on the church has been ongoing until the redemption:

(1 Pet 4:17 KJV) 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?

The Lord would come quickly and remove the candlestick out of place....if the early church did not repent....judgment began at the house of God:

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Without light...without wisdom...the candlestick....the church would be in darkness....the "night." The darkness then had power to cast the church into prison:

(Rev 2:10 KJV) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The church is asleep in the "night"....that is why he says he will come like a "thief in the night."

Peter....likened as the church....falls asleep while Jesus was away (in Gethsemane) ....Jesus came back and found Peter (the church) asleep:

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(Rev 2:5 KJV) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The first church needed to "wake up" and repent....because they had "fallen"...fallen asleep...fallen from their secure place.

Jesus came back the second time and found the church soundly asleep:

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

(Rev 2:16 KJV) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.


And the third and final time he comes back ....he tells them to "RISE UP."

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Because if those of the church do not "RISE UP" or awaken when he comes (he is to come)....he will come as a thief in the night to those who don't wake up and watch for the Lord....." If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

(Rev 3:3 KJV) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

After he had told his disciples to "RISE UP", Judas came with a multitude.....they came to Jesus as if he was a thief......this is why Jesus refers to himself as coming like a thief in the night:

(Luke 22:52 KJV) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

And they came to him with swords and staves....this is why Jesus comes with the Sword of his mouth.

But we don't know at what "hour" he comes.....the second or the third:

(Luke 12:38 KJV) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

[shawn]

Jesus' coming is transposed with the coming of Judas and the multitude with him.

Jesus comes as a thief in the "night".....just as Judah came in the night....they came to Jesus as if he was the thief.

(Mat 26:55 KJV) In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

They came with swords.....Jesus comes with the sword of his mouth....the Word of God:

(Rev 2:16 KJV) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

(2 Th 2:8 KJV) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Judas came with a multitude......the Lord comes with a multitude:

(Luke 22:47 KJV) And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

(Jude 1:14 KJV) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss....we are to "kiss the Son".....we are to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling....we are to put our trust in him.....and not man:

(Psa 2:10 KJV) Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The Son of Man comes to open the understanding of the Scriptures.....he heals the ears of those who hear:

(Luke 22:50 KJV) And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

The Word of God is the sword.....those who hear and believe are purified....they cast off the works of darkness....those who do not receive the love of the truth....it is a two-edged sword that executes the wrath of God:

(Rom 13:4 KJV) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Those who do not receive the love of the truth...the pure truth....the full knowledge presented at the end of this age by the Lord's messengers (in whose mouthes is no guile or deceit).....their hearing will be cut off....the ear "cut off".....they will believe a lie.

(2 Th 2:11 KJV) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(2 Tim 4:4 KJV) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The tares are to be bound in bundles....what ties them together is the lie....because they received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in their works of darkness:

(Mat 13:30 KJV) 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.

The wheat are to be gathered in the Father's barn....Jesus was taken and brought to the high priest's house by Judas and the multitude:

(Luke 22:54 KJV) Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

Just as Judas and the multitude came to take hold of Jesus.....the Son of Man sends his messengers out to gather his people....to gather the wheat into his barn:

(Mat 24:31 KJV) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Peter sat down among those by the fire:

(Luke 22:55 KJV) And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

Peter sat down by the fire....The wicked are cast into the furnace of fire:

(Mat 13:50 KJV) And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Peter denied the Lord 3 times......Peter was asked to feed the sheep 3 times. Those of the church who hear what the Spirit says are to feed the sheep of the Lord with spiritual food. Transpose.

[shawn]

The church has been put in prison by Satan and has been "scattered" throughout:

(1 Pet 1:1 KJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

The "strangers" among the scattered church are those who have kept the faith (according to the foreknowledge of God) while the church has been going through the "tribulation"....the trial by Satan:

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The "elect" have a "lively hope" while they wait for the Lord to come and awaken the church.....to an inheritance undefiled and fades not away.....for the church has been defiled and corrupted during this hour of temptation....only Jesus was perfect...without sin....and his blood washes our garments even now if we repent and return to the Lord:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

The "elect" has been kept....guarded....by the power of God through faith until the time of salvation...until the time the Lord raises the church incorruptible.....he brings deliverence from the trial of Satan and his messengers who have corrupted the church with their works of darkness. The "elect" have had faith that the Lord will perform His promises at the end of this "night" of the church:

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The church has endured a "season" of temptation by Satan....the elect of the church have been in "heaviness through manifold temptations:"

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of the elect's faith has been tested by Satan....and those who have kept the word of His patience will be rewarded at the "appearing" of Jesus Christ....where Jesus discloses the mysteries of the kingdom....he manifests the full knowledge of the truth....the cover is removed and the truth revealed:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

We receive the "end" of our faith....at the deliverence of the church from the prison of Satan....then can the righteous shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father.

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Not only did Christ suffer on the cross.....his body....the church....has suffered at the hands of Satan's ministers.

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Just as Jesus once was dead and now is alive forevermore, the church will also be made alive....receiving the end of its faith at the "revelation of Jesus Christ".....for God will show His graciousness and mercy to those who return to Him....those of the church who have carried on the empty works of the church fathers who have handed down their vain traditions throughout the years:

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

We are to be "obedient children" and to return to God....we are "children"....we have been involved with works of darkness out of "ignorance." We.....the church....have been deceived by spiritual leaders of darkness.....the "stars of heaven".....the rulers of the "night."

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

We are to be redeemed from the prison of Satan....we are to be released as calves from the stall....for we have received by tradition the empty things of the church fathers....we have inherited the sins of the fathers....we have inherited "corruptible things"....works of darkness....which the church does out of ignorance because that is the way things have always been done:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

During this "night" of the church, no man has been working the works of God......no man has worked during this "season" of "manifold temptations:"

(John 9:4 KJV) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

But the elect live by faith...even though they have no works..... they have faith... they keep the word of patience that the Lord is coming to rectify the condition of the church...they have kept the continuing debt to love one another....they have faith that the Lord will send his messengers to gather the wheat in the Father's barn....to separate the tares from the wheat....to bring redemption....to bring salvation to the church. This faith is righteousness....to believe God is going to perform His Word. We are to lift up our heads for the redemption draws near. "Saviors" shall "come up" on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau.....then the kingdom shall the the Lord's....there will no longer be any tares within the kingdom to lead people astray:

(Oba 1:21 KJV) And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.

All those in the church who receive not the love of the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness....at the release of the full knowledge of the truth....at the disclosure of Jesus Christ....at the revelation of deep mysteries .....reject their own mercy....they lose their birthright as Esau did.

(Jonah 2:8 KJV) They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

[shawn]

The church has been imprisoned by Satan for a time of testing….the hour of temptation…a season of 'manifold temptations.' Just as Herod stretched forth his hands to vex the church….so Satan also has been given power to throw the church into trial and tribulation.

(Acts 12:1 KJV) Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Satan was able to cast the Jews into the fire of judgment…Gehenna…..he was able to kill the body and soul of them….just as Herod killed 'James'….'Jacob'….the brother of John….the brothers of Christ Jesus:

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

After Satan successfully took the Jews, he proceeded to take the church also….which Peter is likened to the church. The early church enjoyed the days of 'unleavened bread'….the pure knowledge of the Lord without hindrance…the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth….without the bread of deceit and wickedness that we find now in the church.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when Satan was given power to take the church….to enter into every house….he delivered/scattered them to the four winds of heaven to be held in prison….just as Peter was put into prison and delivered to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him. The power of the holy people was broken.

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

The four quaternions of soldiers that kept Peter = the four conditions of the church = the four winds of heavens that the elect are scattered....power broken.

1. It has been conquered by those who claim to be 'Christ'…or followers of Christ…they have deceived many….they are the false apostles.

(Rev 6:2 KJV) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

(Mat 24:5 KJV) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

They are the 'Nicolaitanes' which means 'victorious over the people.' They pose as ministers of righteousness….messengers of light….they are white-washed tombs…they appear righteous to men….they have gone forth and conquered the church which was allowed by God…they have power…they have a crown.

(Rev 2:6 KJV) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

2. There is much violence in the church….there is hate…when one hates his brother, he in essence kills….just as Jesus pointed out, he who hates his brother is a murderer. There is no peace and unity among the brothers.

(Rev 6:4 KJV) 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.

Just as Jesus foretold his church to expect that many shall betray and hate one another…we can see this in the number of denominations…and within our own churches:

(Mat 24:10 KJV) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

(Mat 24:12 KJV) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

3. Famine….famine of hearing the Word of God….famine from understanding. Those who lead the church astray do not feed the flock.

(Rev 6:5 KJV) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

We are in the famine of the 'evil time'….the hour of temptation….but God has taken care of his very elect during this time…."hurt not the oil and the wine'…spare the Spirit and the joy of the Spirit and those who live after the Spirit.

(Psa 37:19 KJV) They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

(Amos 8:11 KJV) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

4. Death and 'hell' or Hades. The ultimate result of all these conditions is the power of death…to overcome and kill the saints…to render them powerless. To cast them into a state of having no wisdom, knowledge, works of God….death and Hades:

(Rev 6:8 KJV) And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The church has been imprisoned and rendered powerless….the elect of God pray without ceasing for its release…just as they prayed for Peter’s release:

(Acts 12:5 KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

For we are to be like the widow and pray without ceasing for the release of the church…just like the widow who troubled the judge constantly about her adversary…"Avenge me of my adversary.' God will avenge his elect though he bear long with the condition of the church....the presence of the adversaries within it. We are not to "faint" because of the tribulation that Satan has brought upon the church:

Luke 18: 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Peter was sleeping at night in the prison…bound….the church is asleep in the spiritual 'night' of its 'prison:’

Acts 12: 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

But the Lord comes with his messengers (angels) to bring deliverance to those who are imprisoned….he comes with the pure knowledge of the truth….which is like a light shining in the prison. He comes to awaken the church as the angel of the Lord awakened Peter from his sleep. Peter was told to 'Arise up quickly'….the church is told to 'arise' from the sleep and cast off the works of darkness which are like chains that bind the church…the works of our hands = the works of darkness = chains on Peter.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

The angel 'smote Peter on the side'….transposing the Lord being struck on his side at the cross:

(John 19:34 KJV) But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Blood and water came out…..signifying that the arisen church is to wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb….and it is with the pure knowledge of the truth that the Lord reveals to us…the water of life which satisfies our thirst suffered under the drought...the famine of hearing the Word of God.

Peter was smote on the side….Eve was taken from the side of Adam…"rib' can be rendered 'side:'

(Gen 2:22 KJV) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

The church is taken from 'man' and brought to the Lord Jesus Christ…where we are bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh….for we shall be like him...he who has this hope purifies himself from the dead works of our church fathers:

(1 John 3:2 KJV) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

And then Peter is told to 'grid thyself and bind on thy sandals'... and so is the church told to do also…to wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb….to follow the Lord:

(Acts 12:8 KJV) And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

For the church has had others who have dressed it and lead it astray….just as the 'death' predicted to Peter:

(John 21:18 KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

And again the church (Peter) is to 'follow me'….follow the Lord

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Then Peter is led out….the iron gate opens up:

Acts 12: 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

The 'iron gate' is symbolic for the 'gates of hell' or Hades that shall not prevail against the Lord and his church:

(Mat 16:18 KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The gates of 'hell' are the false prophets…whose teachings led the church astray and into to ruin….the wide gate of 'destruction'…where the church has not been able to escape from until the Lord brings redemption from the prison. He has the keys of death and Hades. He comes with his angels to bring light to the dark prison in order to let the captives go free...like calves released from the stall at the rising of the Sun of righteousness:

(Mal 4:2 KJV) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

The seven churches were in "Asia" which means "sunrise" or "east" ....the direction of the sunrise.....it is in the spiritual "morning" that the church wakes up.....as the Sun of righteousness dawns on the dark world of the church.

(Mat 24:14 KJV) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

[shawn]

The church escapes from those who oppress them...from those who have kept them in 'prison'…just as Peter escaped from prison. Satan and his messengers find themselves having lost control over the people of God (the heavens)…..they in a sense fall from heaven to the earth……just as Herod 'went down from Judea to Caesarea:'

(Acts 12:19 KJV) And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

Satan has great wrath when he loses control over the church….Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon….they represent those who guard the 'prison' of the church:

20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

The people of Tyre and Sidon are those who have kept control over the people of God….those keepers of the prison. 'Tyre' is 'tsor' which means a 'sharp stone…as if pressed to a point'…those who pierce the body of Christ (the church)….also 'tsor' comes from 'tsuwr' which means 'to confine, adversary, distress.' 'Tyre' represents the adversaries who confine the body of Christ….the church….in a tomb or prison….the 'stone' that confines the church in a tomb of darkness by their teachings and works. The meaning of 'Sidon' is 'in the sense of catching fish'….also 'hunting'….the people of the church have been caught in the evil nets of the messengers of Satan and held under their power….they have been 'hunted' and caught. But at the teaching of Jesus, many about Tyre and Sidon will come to him….they will depart from the keepers of the prison:

(Mark 3:8 KJV) And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

It is through riches that the prince of Tyre is lifted up in pride….it is through riches that Satan has deceived people….works of darkness. The people of Tyre and Sidon….the keepers of the 'prison'… heard that Herod commanded them to be put to death they sought peace with him…they shall say 'peace and safety:'

(1 Th 5:3 KJV) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

They make 'Blastus' their friend….which means 'to yield fruit, bud.' The pride blossoms….pride comes before the fall:

Ezekiel 7:10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.

Just as Herod sat upon his throne in royal apparel…they will exalt themselves…they will speak blasphemous things….just as Herod did…he made an 'oration unto them:'

Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

The word 'oration' is 'demegoreo' which means 'to be a people-gatherer'….Satan gathers those who love the works of darkness more than the truth…the light…and they exalt themselves above all that is called God...they sit in the temple of God proclaiming themselves to be the voice of God…they sit in the temple of God like Herod sat upon his throne on the 'set day'…..on the appointed day.

(2 Th 2:4 KJV) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

(Ezek 28:2 KJV) Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

Those of 'Tyre' exalt their hearts…..because of their riches…they think it is by their own power they have achieved these things:

Ezekiel 28:5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;

After Herod delivered his blasphemous people-gathering speech, the people gave a shout saying 'It is the voice of God and not of man.' The height of pride…the tower of Babel is complete:

Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

And immediately the angel of the Lord smites him because he gave not God the glory for his position and power…God gave Herod his power….for it is God who gave those rulers of Babylon their position and power over His people.

Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

The height of pride…saying that it is by their power they have achieved great wealth….just as king Nebuchadnezzar makes a wild boast that it was his power and not God’s that built the house….or prison…of the kingdom. The kingdom then departs from them.

(Dan 4:30 KJV) The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

For we are not to say it is by our power we have gotten wealth….for we shall perish:

(Deu 8:17 KJV) And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

Babylon makes the wild boast….at the height of pride comes the fall:

(Rev 18:7 KJV) How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

The worms eat Herod……the 'worms' will eat up the wealth of those who boast in their riches…the 'worms' are the 'strangers' who will come upon Babylon to destroy her wisdom….her beauty….her riches…they will pollute her:

Ezekiel 28:7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.
8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.
9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

The 'worms' are the wicked of the earth who come into Babylon and make her vile;

(Ezek 7:21 KJV) And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

When the proud moment comes, then comes shame:

(Prov 11:2 KJV) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

When the proud moment comes, then comes destruction….the fall:

(Prov 16:18 KJV) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

The high tower of the walls will be brought down….their pride will be brought down:

(Isa 25:11 KJV) And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.

In their pride of their hearts, they will believe a lie:

(Oba 1:3 KJV) The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

The 'rejoicing city' makes the wild boast in her heart…."I am'….placing herself as God…"there is none beside me'…..not giving glory to God who gave her the power and wealth that she rejoices in…..her desolation comes immediately as did Nebuchadnezzar’s fall….in 'one hour' she becomes desolate:

(Zep 2:15 KJV) This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.

She becomes desolate…."a place for beasts to lie down in'….the wicked and vile of the earth enter in and burn her….they mar her beauty and make her into a mockery in the face of the world..."every one that passeth by her shall hiss..."

The church in 'Laodicea'…'people of the judgment' make the wild boast 'I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing:'

(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:

They believe a lie…and yet even they are offered the opportunity to overcome:

(Rev 3:21 KJV) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

[shawn]

Herod "the tetrarch" was symbolic for Satan and his messengers. "Tetrarch" means "the ruler of a fourth part of a country".....just as Satan has power over the 4 conditions of the church...who has power over "death" and "Hades" that keep the church powerless and in darkness. Peter slept between 2 soldiers (death and Hades) in the prison before his release. "Power was given unto them over the FOURTH part of the earth:"

(Rev 6:8 KJV) And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The church is scattered toward the "four winds".....whom Satan, the prince of the "air"....has power over. He is referred to the "prince of the power of the air"...the four winds....air....Ephesians 2:2. The Lord's messengers gather his elect from the four winds...from the power of Satan....by the power and knowledge of God:

(Mark 13:27 KJV) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

There will be certain people of the church who had been under the power of Satan (those who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul ) that will minister to the Lord. Satan, who has power over the fourth part of the earth = "Herod the tetrarch." "Saul" = "Sheol"=Hades. Death and Hades.

(Acts 13:1 KJV) Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

The church that was at Antioch......."Antioch" means "speedy as a chariot"......which indicates those of the church who study and quickly understand the Scriptures in due season. They are as "Barnabas"....meaning "son of prophecy"...."Simeon that was called Niger"....."Simeon"....means those "hearing"...."hearing what the Spirit says"......they were in the past called "Niger".....which means "black"....which indicates they suffered once under the famine of hearing the words of God.....the black horse in Revelation......"Lucius" means " illuminative"....they have been illuminated to the knowledge of the Scriptures....the knowledge of God....Lucius of "Cyrene"....meaning "coldness".....they were illuminated as the love of most grows cold.in the church ....and they are as "Manaen" which means "comforter".....they are of the Spirit....which is the comforter.

Jesus had warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees....AND of the leaven of Herod:

(Mark 8:15 KJV) And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

The leaven of Herod = the teachings of Satan and his ministers. The four thousand represent the fourth part of the earth........the "seven" are the seven churches.

(Mark 8:20 KJV) And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

Jesus will feed the hidden manna to those who overcome of the seven churches.

The "daily sacrifice:"

(Dan 8:12 KJV) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.

A host was given Satan.....the "tares" are the children of the wicked one....they were sown among the wheat in the kingdom of heaven. By their influences.....by the increase of wickedness (by "reason of transgression"), the "daily sacrifice" was taken away. The "daily sacrifice" is the "NEW commandment" given by Jesus for us to daily live by:


(John 13:34 KJV) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

And again Jesus commanded us to love one another...the "daily sacrifice:"

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

This new commandment was to be followed by the church.....a continual debt to love one another...and by this ALL men would know that we are his disciples. As prophecied, with the increase of wickedness (by reason of transgression), the love of most would grow cold (the daily sacrifice taken away):

Matthew 24: 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

By this, Satan and his messengers have cast truth to the ground. Peace was taken from the church:

(Rev 6:4 KJV) 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.

[shawn]

A "host" was given to the power of darkness to take away the daily sacrifice by the increase of wickedness...."host" meaning "a mass of persons"......the "tares" that were planted among the wheat in the kingdom of heaven....the wolves that would come to scatter the flock as Paul told it.

(Dan 8:12 KJV) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.

Judas was also given a "host".....a "band" of men and officers...."band" meaning figuratively "a mass of men." They came to take the "daily sacrifice".....Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. Judas, a disciple chosen by Jesus, was taken by betrayl.....by "reason of transgression."

(John 18:3 KJV) Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

The "band of men and officers" came with "lanterns and torches"......signifiying stars and truth. "Lanterns" is the Greek word ".phanos" which means a "lightener"....."to shine"....which stars do. And the word "torches" is " lampas" which means "lamp"....which the truth is like a lamp. When Jesus answered Judas and the band of men and officers, they went backward and "fell to the ground:"

(John 18:6 KJV) As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Satan and his messengers also successfully cast the stars of heaven and the truth to the "ground."...in the church....the "sanctuary was cast down:"

(Dan 8:10 KJV) And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.

Satan and his messengers took away the "daily sacrifice" of the church.....the commandment of Jesus to love one another:

John 13: 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Without love for one another, the daily sacrifice, there would not be unity of the church.....for many have betrayed and hated each other.....the increase of wickedness in the church has resulted in divisions. They betrayed each other....just as Judas betrayed Jesus.....with feigned love. Just as the disciples were scattered after the Judas and the multitude took away Jesus (the daily sacrifice), the church has been divided up because of the lack of love for one another.

Mark 14: 50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

The righteousness of the church (the linen cloth) was taken away.....the sheep were sheared by the wolves.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Without peace in the church, there are divisions....the "great sword".....divisions:

(Rev 6:4 KJV) 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.

Envying and strife.....a lack of love for one another....divisions:

(1 Cor 3:3 KJV) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Not following the "doctrine of Christ".....the important teaching of Christ....to love one another:

2 John 1: 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

[shawn]

Envy and strife go hand-in-hand. There are many Scriptures that pair the two....for where there is envy and strife is confusion and EVERY evil work:

(James 3:16 KJV) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Envy and strife is how the brothers have betrayed one another:

(Mat 24:10 KJV) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

The betrayers have taken the 'daily sacrifice' of loving one another away by their increased iniquity (envy and strife)…this has already happened to the church a long time ago…the daily sacrifice has been taken away. They have successfully taken peace and unity from the church. They have betrayed the body of Christ….they were chosen by the Lord…just as Judas…..they sit with him at the table…just as Judas did:

(Luke 22:21 KJV) But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

After Jesus tells the disciples about the Son of man to be betrayed by someone close to him, strife arises among the disciples…..showing by example that the betrayal of the church is the strife that arises out of envy about who should be accounted the greatest:

23 And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

There are many church leaders who exercise overbearing authority over the sheep….they are called 'benefactors'…..or 'a worker of good.' They do not seek to serve those underneath them but to serve themselves under the guise of workers of good.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

Envy and strife is what caused the church to fall into war and divide….to scatter. Who is the right church? Who is approved by God? The Baptists, the Methodists, the Catholics, the Lutherans, etc, etc….. Who is the greatest? Envy and strife have caused these divisions and maintains them.

For envy is what betrayed the Lord Jesus. The word 'delivered' is 'paradidomi' which also is used for the word 'betrayed' elsewhere:

(Mat 27:18 KJV) For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

(Mark 15:10 KJV) For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

Just as Cain murdered his brother out of envy. Just as Joseph was envied and betrayed by his brothers:

(Acts 7:9 KJV) And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

For Jesus forewarned us of the transgressors.....that he was to be reckoned among them....that his body....the church... would be full of transgressors. And yet he is the perfect one...without sin...who will take away the transgressions of the church in the redemption.

(Luke 22:36 KJV) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

The 2 swords of envy and strife:

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

For envy and strife are as the "pestilence".....the word "pestilence" is "deber" which is from "dabar" which interestingly means "to speak"....it is with words..."strifes of words"... that strife and envy come about.

(1 Tim 6:4 KJV) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Even Paul was called a "pestilence" by Tertullus in Acts because he considered him a troublemaker....a contentious person....stirring up trouble among the people:

(Acts 24:5 KJV) For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

We find the church today in the famine of hearing the Word of God, in the pestilence of envy and strife....hating and betraying each other....the great sword that divides us and the church is under the care of those who do not feed the church nor care for it. They have taken away the "daily sacrifice" .....the commandment of Jesus to love one another. Let us keep the daily sacrifice of loving one another.

[Roya Dayspring]

AS IN THE DAYS (http://www.ireport.com/tags/mouthpiece)

:eek:

[Roya Dayspring]

AS IN THE DAYS (http://www.ireport.com/tags/mouthpiece)

:eek:

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away