A study on the literal and the spiritual.......

[shawn]

(Gen 3:24 KJV) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

The literal stories of the Word were created to 'hide' the spiritual wisdom of God….the literalness of the word is the Cherubims that are placed at the 'east' or in 'front' of the garden of Eden. 'Eden' meaning 'delight' which the spiritual wisdom of God is a delight. Mankind reads the bible and only sees the literal…mostly, and also interprets it at face value. Hence we have a flaming sword that turns in every way…'flaming' is a 'covert blaze' and the Hebrew word for 'sword' is 'chereb' which means 'drought' as well as 'sword.' The interpretations are many…various… but they are based on the literalness of the Word…and it divides people….and they live in spiritual dryness. The literal….letter of the Word…. keeps people from the way of the tree of life….the 'way' of the tree of life is the Wisdom of God. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman…a mother in Proverbs. By embracing Wisdom, we are her children…we keep the 'way' of the Tree of Life:

(Prov 8:32 KJV) Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

'Way' is the Hebrew word 'derek' which means 'road.' Those who have used the literalness of the Word are the false prophets who have deceived many into going down that broad road….for 'wide' is the gate and 'broad' is the way that have lead to ruin. 'Wide' is the Greek word 'platus' which comes from 'plasso' which means 'to mould, i.e. shape or fabricate:--form.' They have taken the letter of the Word and formed their own interpretations for the purpose of their own gain.

(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:

There is no life in the literal, written Word by itself…it is in Jesus we have life and with his Spirit we may understand the spiritual wisdom of the Word….the written Word testifies of the life in Jesus. Jesus also alluded to this by telling the Jews that they 'search the Scriptures' thinking they have life…when it is Jesus who has eternal life….the Tree of Life.

(John 5:39 KJV) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

But most men have not seen the wisdom of God because of the literalness of the Word. Men have taken the literalness and produced 'fruit'…they have used the literal Word as a means for their coveting…..for their lusts….greed….dishonest gain. They have taken fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil….the literal Word and bore corrupt fruit.

(Mat 7:17 KJV) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

It is the "natural" things...the literalness of the Word... they have used to corrupt themselves...they disregard the spiritual:

(Jude 1:10 KJV) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

The wisdom of God has been "hidden" behind the literal Word as protection against those who would have taken her and abused that wisdom for their own gain...as they do the literal things. The woman who fled into the wilderness in Revelation is Wisdom...she has been protected from the face of the serpent....who only can eat "dust"...the literal things...the serpent's power is in the literal things only...the power of death...and not heavenly things.

(Rev 12:6 KJV) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

(Rev 12:14 KJV) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

The serpent casts out of his mouth his literal teachings based on the written Word....devoid of true wisdom....the "earth" swallowed up the flood....it stayed in the literalness of the Word.....which protected the spiritual wisdom of God (the woman) so that it was not abused by those seeking to profit from it.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

The woman was given wings....the cherubims also had wings in Ezekiel...which "covered' the body...the cherubims also "covered" the mercy seat of the ark. The literal stories of the written Word "covers" the true meaning that they are speaking ...the spiritual things...keeping the "way" of the Tree of Life...which few have found. Those who have abused the literal things are like the king of "Tyrus"......"rock".....meaning they are the "king" who have ruled over others using the literal things...the inanimate things...the rock of the Word. They think that the literal is full wisdom and is perfect. The stories on the surface are beautiful to look at:

(Ezek 28:12 KJV) Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.


The literal was created since the beginning in Eden to protect the spiritual wisdom of God....a beautiful work....that "covers."

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

The literal Word is the "annointed cherbub that covereth".....it protects the wisdom of God:

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

But there are those who have used the literal to produce fruit....have used the literal wisdom and shadows to deceive. They make merchandise of people using the literal things of the Word. They have fabricated doctrines based on the literal...."doctrines of devils".....it promotes "violence".....not loving each other...divisions....strife and envy.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

The surface of the literal is a thing of beauty...but people have corrupted themselves with it...they have used it for their own dishonest gain. The "covering" will be pulled off which exposes the spiritual truth.

17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

The literal will be placed in its proper place....as a shadow of the Truth. For it is the the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter.....to find the spiritual truth hidden by the literal:

(Prov 25:2 KJV) It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

[shawn]

The literal...the surface...of the written Word is beautiful to look at...but we are not to eat of its fruit....not to take those things and make doctrines of our own in order to gain something. Just as the woman "saw" the tree....and it was "pleasant to the eyes:"

(Gen 3:6 KJV) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Just as every man is tempted by the literal things of the Word (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) to make up something from those things in order to achieve those things of his own lust...such as greed for money, power and fame.

(James 1:14 KJV) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from "above" ....spiritual and not of the literal....and the Wisdom of the truth comes down from the Father of lights....with whom there is no "variableness, neither shadow of turning"....the literal things of the Word are the covering for the spiritual truth.... the true wisdom...there is no "shadow of turning" that you find with the literal...just as you find the flaming sword that turned in every direction keeping the way of the tree of life.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

For it is by the revelation of Jesus we learn of the spiritual things. He reveals those hidden things to those who listen for his voice. When Jesus opens up our understanding of the Scriptures, there will be those who scoff at the spiritual things...which will bring God's judgment upon themselves. Instead of embracing the true wisdom that is taught by Jesus, they cling on to those literal things....they change the glory of God for the corruptible things.....the literal things in which they have been corrupted...they refuse the truth....they love darkness more than the light.

(Rom 1:23 KJV) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

The image are the literal things of the Word....just as the 4 faces of the cherubims of Ezekiel highlight....but the living Spirit of the Word is in the revelation of Jesus Christ...the glory of God. The truth will be handled by some in unrighteousness. There will be the scoffers....they are the religious who cling on to the literalness as a cloak for their own lusts...they lust after the flesh...twisting the literal things of the Word in order to produce evil fruit....in the face of the revealed spiritual Truth of the Word.

(2 Pet 3:3 KJV) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

(Jude 1:16 KJV) These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

Jesus is coming to give us the full knowledge of the truth so that we may depart from those who have the power of death....those that hold others under their control by their teachings conjured up by things of the literal Word...which is meaningless and empty by itself. The "knowledge" that we look for is the Greek word "epignosis".....meaning the "full discernment." We are to come into the unity of the faith....and of the "knowledge....the epignosis....the complete Truth" of the Son of God:

(Eph 4:13 KJV) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The spirit of wisdom and the revelation in the "epignosis....the FULL knowledge" of him:

(Eph 1:17 KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

That we should be saved from those who will hold the full truth in unrighteousness...saved from the coming wrath upon those who do.....to come unto the "epignosis" of the truth:

(1 Tim 2:4 KJV) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We are to instruct those in meekness....they "oppose themselves"...they oppose Christ who bought them...they are religious. We hope that God will bring them into repentace fo the "epignosis...full discernment" of the truth:


(2 Tim 2:25 KJV) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

So that they may recover themselves out of the trap of the devil.....whose power is in the literal things....to use those things for the lusts of man by contriving them to say what they want them to say....a trick...a deception.

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 these last days the scoffers will appear at the revelation of the Truth....they will actually contradict the teachings of Jesus....even though he had bought them...in much the same way the Pharisees did. The judgment of God will not slumber....it will be swift to those who despise the government of Jesus Christ and chose to continue in their own lusts.

(2 Pet 2:1 KJV) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The scoffers will follow their ways...and will speak evil of the way of truth:

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

They make use of the literal for their own greed:

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth

[Bob May]

Great post Shawn,

2 Co 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.

Mt 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Shawn said,

""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 these last days the scoffers will appear at the revelation of the Truth....they will actually contradict the teachings of Jesus....even though he had bought them...in much the same way the Pharisees did. The judgment of God will not slumber....it will be swift to those who despise the government of Jesus Christ and chose to continue in their own lusts.""

You are right Shawn. We are in the last days.
I never equated the Cherubim with the literal word. But as guardians keeping the way of the Tree of life it makes some sense. Their wings would indeed "cover" the Law written on tables and the Manna and the Rod of Aaron that budded. All mysteries pointing to Christ and our ability to see him in us.

The flaming sword would be the sword of truth dividing the soul from spirit or literal from the Truth. Eastward would be where the sun rises. The place of revelation of the Mystery.

I don't see the Cherubim as evil in themselves, though. The Mystery of Christ in us, the hope of Glory, was covered for a time and for a reason.

There is a saying in the Western Mystery Tradition that says, "The veil that conceals the mystery, if meditated upon, reveals the mystery."

I will certainly meditate upon what you have written here.

Again, Great post.

Bob

[shawn]

Thanks for reading and considering!

When the full revelation of the knowledge (epignosis) of the truth of Jesus comes, the scoffers will seek to deceive those who understand and escape from them that live in error. It threatens their 'world'….the religious, orderly arrangement of the things which are now.

(2 Pet 2:18 KJV) For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

They are like the king of Moab, 'Balak' which means 'waster', who sought to curse the children of Israel as they escaped from Egypt. He sent out the elders of Moab and those of 'Midian' which means 'contention' to Baalam in order to curse them.

(Num 22:7 KJV) And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

They had the 'rewards of divination'….they speak 'great swelling words' of emptiness in order to deceive. They use and have used the literalness of the bible in order to form their own doctrines (divination) to gain worldly riches (lusts of the flesh.) Again, this highlighted also in Jude…they do these things for profit:

(Jude 1:16 KJV) These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

For using the literal Word without the spiritual meaning in order to get dishonest gain is 'sorcery.' The 'great men of the earth' = those men who have used the literal Word to make their own doctrines (images) in order to deceive and rule over people:

(Rev 18:23 KJV) And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

The woman did 'corrupt the earth with her fornication.' 'The earth' = the written Word.

(Rev 19:2 KJV) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

It was corrupted by what men have made out of it…the twisting of the literal…the face of the Scriptures…they have produced the 'gods', the images (the doctrines of men, practices, traditions)….Baal…. the purpose of corrupting it was for profit…for increase of money, increase in flocks, increase in fame, increase of churches….'Ashtaroth' which means 'increase, to grow, flock.' Men have forsaken the Lord and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 'Baal' means 'master' and they are slaves of corruption….to their own lusts after 'increase'…Ashtaroth.

(2 Pet 2:19 KJV) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

They 'handle' the law….Hebrew word is 'taphas'….which means 'to manipulate. Hence, the law is manipulated by those who know not God….and they do these things to 'profit' in things that are not true riches.

(Jer 2:8 KJV) The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

As an example of the revelation of the spiritual truth of the written Word, consider Elisha who healed the waters of Jericho that were bad and the 'ground' or earth was 'barren'

(2 Ki 2:19 KJV) And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is nought, and the ground barren.

The literal, written Word has been twisted by men and used for their own gain (the "water" isbad). The spiritual wisdom of God has been hidden…while the many literal interpretations have left the ground 'barren.' 'Barren' = 'bereaved of children'…..wisdom has been bereaved of her children as a result of the literal twisting of the written Word by men.

20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

But the Lord, will heal the waters….there will be no more death…no more ruin brought on by those who care nothing for the flock of God who use the literal to deceive. And there will no 'barren land'….the spiritual truth will produce its fruit. Jesus waits for the "earth" ...the written Word to bring forth its spiritual fruit...we were to be patient also waiting on his revelation...his opening up of the Scriptures for us....and not go after "strange flesh"....untrue doctrines of men that deceive.

(James 5:7 KJV) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Wisdom will again have children…those that embrace the wisdom of God… those who find the Tree of Life. 'Elisha' means 'God of riches'…indeed God gives us the gift of the Spirit of Truth….where there are true riches indeed.

Also consider Naaman the leper whom Elisha healed. 'Naaman' means 'delight, pleasant.' God’s wisdom is a delight, pleasant. 'Eden' has the same meaning.

(2 Ki 5:1 KJV) Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

Elisha hears about Naaman’s problem and offers his help.

(2 Ki 5:9 KJV) So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

Elisha sends a messenger (angel) to him and says to go wash in the Jordan 7 times. For it is the messengers of the Lord who come forth at the end of the age with the good news.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

The literalness of the Scriptures…the twisting of it by man…comes clean….the spiritual revelation of the truth is shown….the pure Word of God. Washing in Jordan 7 times is symbolic of the 7 Spirits of God…when Jesus rose up out of the Jordan at his baptism, the Spirit of God descended upon him. 'Jordan' means 'descender.' The 7 Spirits of God are sent forth into all the 'earth.' 'Earth' is symbolic for the written Word…the seven Spirits of God reveal the hidden, spiritual meanings….the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.

(Rev 5:6 KJV) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

The literal, face value of the words of the Lord will show its meaning….'purified 7 times'…purified by the washing in the Jordan 7 times…purified by the 7 Spirits of God. That no man can twist….purified.

(Psa 12:6 KJV) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

For all the written Word (the earth) will reveal the wisdom of God…the literal will clearly show the spiritual….the hidden manna 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.

[shawn]

And continuing in 2 Kings….we find that Naaman was 'wroth.' This is showing the reaction of those who hold onto old religious traditions….they will be angry…for they are expecting literal things.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

Then Naaman brings up the rivers of Damascus….'Abana' which means 'stony, stone' and 'Pharpar' which means 'make of none effect, disappoint.' Meaning those of the religious traditions will think that it is the literal that should be adhered to in order to be cleansed…the inanimate stones that disappoint continually…for we live divided…frustrated by the many different interpretations of the bible. We lack the wisdom which is from above…which is pure. A gift from God.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

But his servants give him this advice:

13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

For those who receive the love of the fully revealed truth will be cleansed….they will be saved.

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

And then we find that Naaman wanted to give Elisha something….and Elisha wisely refuses any 'blessings.'

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

And further down, we find the servant of Elisha, Gehazi, demonstrating those who would want to profit off the Word of God in the time of the revelation of the full truth. He coveted the gifts of Naaman and so runs after him and tells a lie in order to receive gain…just as those who speak great swelling words in order to deceive for profit.

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

Here, Elisha, lets him know that now is not the time receive material things. The servant’s name is 'Gehazi'….which means 'valley of vision.' In the time of the revelation of the full truth, do not go after those things.

26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

And here shows the judgment upon those who despise the government of God (who will reveal His pure Word to them and they reject) to pursue their own lusts. They will depart from His presence.

27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

This is exactly what Jesus means in Luke 17…those who seek to keep the way things are in the religious world...the running after gain.... will lose their lives.

31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
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.

Wisdom is from above. We thank God for His wisdom (the perfect gift) and patience.

(James 1:17 KJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

[shawn]

The revelation of the full discernment (the 'epignosis'… as the fountain will be opened) of the Scriptures is for those religious who have been living in sin and are unclean by following 'idols'….."doctrines of devils'……which are taught by false prophets:

(Zec 13:1 KJV) In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

As it says…for the Lord will cut off the names of the idols out of the land….and will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land:

Zec 13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

This is what Jesus had literally demonstrated when he cast out the unclean spirit of the man who lived among the tombs in Mark 5…for he said to the unclean spirit to come out. His name was 'Legion' for they were many. ….just as there are many idols to be cast out of the land….many idols in the religious world. God will 'cut off the names of the idols out of the land'…..as it says in Zechariah. The name is 'Legion' = many.

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

There were many demons in the man…there are many 'doctrines of devils' today in the religious world….'devils' or 'demons' is the word 'daimonion' which is from the root word 'daio'…which means 'to distribute fortunes'….which is the ultimate goal of such teachings by false prophets…dishonest gain by false teachings which they source from the bible. They have caught people in their evil nets…they keep people spiritually deaf, blind, mute, etc. just as the demons who literally afflicted those whom they occupied…whom Jesus drove out…..and he will drive out again. He will drive them out as he did the thieves in the temple after coming into Jerusalem. He will cast out those that seek to make merchandise of the flock….them that sold and bought in the temple. He overthrew the 'tables of the moneychangers'….he will overthrow the teachings of the false prophets….he overthrew the 'seats of them that sold doves'…he will over throw those in power who sell their brand of peace…when there is no peace.

(Mat 21:12 KJV) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

For when the 'demons' are driven out….people will be healed by Jesus in the temple. Those who were spiritually blinded by such…and those who were lame and have not walked in the way of righteousness….will come to him to be healed in the cleansed temple…where there is no night.

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, they cried 'Hosanna'….which means 'oh save!' Save us from what? Deliver us from those wicked in the temple and from sin.

For Jesus drove out the spirits…the unclean spirits…demons… with his word:

(Mat 8:16 KJV) When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

And he will again drive them out with the Word…..with the pure Word of God…with the wisdom of God that comes down from above…it heals us of our sicknesses…from our 'destructions'….from the pit-falls we have fallen into…from the snares laid by men who have lied in wait to deceive.

(Psa 107:20 KJV) He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

For the wisdom of God is the perfect gift from above…from the Father of Light:

(James 1:17 KJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

[shawn]

The matriarchs of the bible represent Wisdom from above…who is the mother of us all. Hints of this are shown when Abram said to Sarai 'thou art my sister' and also 'my soul shall live because of thee' to keep himself safe from Pharaoh. 'Sarai’ means 'head lady or princess'….Wisdom is the mother to us all…the chief Lady:

(Gen 12:13 KJV) Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

This is also the thing we should say about Wisdom….'thou art my sister:'

(Prov 7:4 KJV) Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

Just as Abram said to Sarai 'my soul shall live because of thee,' so also those who find wisdom and knowledge have life to the soul:

(Prov 3:22 KJV) So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Abram tells Sarai this because she is beautiful and fears what Pharaoh would do to him to have her….Wisdom from above is beautiful to behold…and so Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house and entreats Abram well with animals and slaves:

(Gen 12:16 KJV) And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

The animals and slaves represent the literal, face value of the Scriptures that hide the beautiful, spiritual wisdom of God. They are beasts of burden….their job is to conceal the Truth. The donkey represents the literal Scripture…but the donkey will 'speak' the Truth…just as Balaam’s donkey did:

(2 Pet 2:15 KJV) Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

The donkey…which represents the literal, face value of the Scriptures…do not speak the underlying spiritual Truth by themselves…they are mute …they have to have their mouth opened by the Lord…just as Balaam’s donkey demonstrates:

(Num 22:28 KJV) And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

The donkey opened its mouth to rebuke the iniquity of Baalam…for he loved the wages of unrighteousness. The literal Scriptures will also open their mouths and rebuke those who chase after profit in the name of religion…so that they may see the coming judgment of God and for them to repent of their ways….to be shown mercy and forgiveness.

The camel also represents the veiling…the covering… of the Wisdom of the Scriptures. Rebekah ,who was a matriarch, represents wisdom also…she lights off the camel when she sees Isaac:

(Gen 24:64 KJV) And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

'Lighted' is the word 'naphal' which means 'to fall, cease, fail'…this indicates when the two are detached….the literal from the spiritual….the literal fails to show the spiritual meaning…'Rebekah' is no longer on the camel….the spiritual Truth ceases to be seen from the literal….it is veiled from mankind. And after Rebekah 'lighted' off the camel, she takes a veil and covers herself….Wisdom covers herself with the veil of the literal, face value of the Scriptures…for lack of better words to describe it.

65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.

Rachel, also a matriarch, is the ultimate representation of Wisdom. She also rode upon a camel where she put the images of Laban:

(Gen 31:34 KJV) Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

'Laban' means 'white, to make bricks.' Laban represents those who make use of the literal, face value of the Scriptures to make their doctrines…they use the images….they pose as ministers of righteousness….'white.' But Wisdom takes the images and shows us the true meaning of them….just as Rachel rides upon the camel with the images of Laban. Laban 'searched all the tent'….the 'tent' is the 'covering'…the literal Scriptures…but he could not find them….representing those who search the Scriptures thinking they will find life…when it is the words of Jesus….his disclosure of the Truth of what the Scriptures are really saying…his words are Life. Rachel….the mother...who is Wisdom…weeps for her children because they are not….people have not embraced her.

(Jer 31:15 KJV) Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

But her work will be rewarded…the spiritual will shine forth from the literal…her work…her covering…will be rewarded…and those who have been apart will be hers again…she will bear children....children of the Wisdom of God:

16 Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

For in the past and now there has been the beginning of birth pangs:

(Mat 24:8 KJV) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The birth pangs of Wisdom have been severe...just as Rachel had "hard labor:"

(Gen 35:16 KJV) And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

But the Lord has reassured her that her work will be rewarded...that the children will "come again from the land of the enemy"....just as the midwife reassured Rachel...that she would have this son:

(Gen 35:17 KJV) And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

When Rachel had her first son she named him "Joseph" ...which means "let him add:"

(Gen 30:24 KJV) And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

And so Rachel's second son is the son of prophecy...."Benjamin"....the "son of the right hand"....full brother of Joseph....born of Rachel....born of Wisdom. Benjamin was the only brother who did not take part in selling Joseph. A people are born of wisdom...those who have not trafficked religion and taken advantage of the flock...who hear the voice of the Lord...who have not taken the "coat of Joseph"....the literalness of the Scriptures...with its many colors...and dipped it in blood....with the violence of deceit, robbery, strife, envy. "A woman"....wisdom has been in travail.....and she has sorrow...weeping for her children......but her hour is coming ....for the second son is to be born....the "Son of the Right Hand."

(John 16:21 KJV) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

It is no coincidence that Jesus' parents were named Mary and Joseph. For his mother's name "Mary" means "bitterness".....which represents Wisdom being made bitter for her children are no more. It was said to Mary that a sword would "pierce through" her soul also:

(Luke 2:34 KJV) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

For Jesus (Joseph) was sold by his brothers....and includes those of the church. They have taken the literal things and not fed, nor clothed, nor visited the least of the brethern of his...those poor in spirit. Wisdom weeps...but as his father's name suggests...Joseph... means "he shall add"....God will add another son to Wisdom....and as Joseph only revealed himself after the brothers brought the youngest along....so does Jesus wait for the last brother..."Benjamin"...the brother of the same mother....Wisdom.

And in "Benjamin's" mouth is found the Revelation of Jesus Christ as demonstrated by the silver cup in the sack (mouth) of Benjamin:

(Gen 44:2 KJV) And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

[shawn]

Benjamin was the son of prophecy…Rachel prophesied of him when she named 'Joseph'….meaning 'he will add'...the Lord will add... and also Joseph prophesied of him when he told the dream of the sun, moon and 11 stars bowing down to him…the 11th star, Benjamin, had not been born yet. Jacob also prophesied when he repeated Joseph’s dream…acknowledging that another brother would come:

(Gen 37:10 KJV) And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

Benjamin was known as a 'little' one…indicating that he was least…small.

(Gen 44:20 KJV) And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

(Psa 68:27 KJV) There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

When the men of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him if he was that one that should come or should they look for another…..

(Luke 7:20 KJV) When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

…..Jesus answered them….showing that he was the one to come…

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

But when he discusses John the Baptist, Jesus answers their question….even though they left….indicating that there would be a 'he that is least' in the kingdom of God. 'Least' being 'Benjamin'…the son of prophecy….the son of wisdom. There would be another brother….one that hadn’t been born yet….but Wisdom is in birth pangs…hard labor as Rachel was in giving birth to 'Benjamin.'

(Luke 7:28 KJV) For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Jesus took a child and set him by him….saying whosoever shall receive this child in my name receives him…that he that is least among you, the same shall be great:

(Luke 9:47 KJV) And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

The 'least'…the 'little' is 'Benjamin'…. 'son of the Right Hand.' For Judah also called him a 'child' to Joseph…. ' We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one…' He is a 'child'… Whoever receives the 'little child'…the speaking of 'Benjamin'…for he speaks the wisdom of God...the testimony of Jesus, receives the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him who sent Jesus….for 'Benjamin' comes in the name of the Lord. 'Benjamin' is the son of prophecy. Benjamin is always referred to as a 'young man'…which brings us to Timothy…who’s name means 'valuable to God' and is a representation of 'Benjamin.' Paul…who’s name means 'little' and was from the tribe of Benjamin….referred to Timothy as a 'son'…and took note of his 'youth'….'youth' means 'newness, fresh, regenerate.' Paul says to not let any man despise his 'youth'….let no man despise the 'newness' of the message he gives…for it is a 'new song'…..from Wisdom….the 'New Jerusalem.'

(1 Tim 4:12 KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.


Benjamin was a son of prophecy….so was 'son' Timothy...as Paul called him:

(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 gift is given by prophecy….with the laying on of the 'hands of the presbytery'….Benjamin means 'son of the right hand'….the right hand is laid upon Benjamin….Timothy….and John.

(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.

And again, Jesus lays his hands on the "little children"....for of such is the kingdom of heaven:

(Mat 19:14 KJV) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

John is also another example of 'Benjamin'… 'son of the right hand'….for Jesus placed his right hand upon him:

(Rev 1:17 KJV) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Jesus said 'Fear not'…that is what the midwife said to Rachel as well as she was in hard labor:

(Gen 35:17 KJV) And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

'Fear not'…for Jesus is the 'first and the last'….Rachel had 2 children…Joseph and Benjamin….Jesus is represented by both….the 'first and the last' child of Wisdom.

Jesus also said that if a man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all:

(Mark 9:35 KJV) And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Benjamin was to be the "servant" of Joseph...for they found the silver cup in Benjamin's sack:

(Gen 44:10 KJV) And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

John...the writer of the LAST book...Revelation...also is a servant to the Lord:

(Rev 1:1 KJV) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

'Benjamin' has the eyes of Joseph set upon him…. 'Benjamin' has the understanding of the Lord Jesus upon him.

(Gen 44:21 KJV) And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

'Benjamin'….who has the eyes of Joseph upon him is also the 'mouth that speaketh unto you'...the mouth of Joseph that is….. 'Benjamin’s' words are the words of the Lord.

(Gen 45:12 KJV) And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

Also John sees what Jesus saw...and bared record of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus:

(Rev 1:2 KJV) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

(Mat 21:16 KJV) And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?