The "thorn" in Paul's flesh....

[shawn]

In order for Paul not to be exalted above measure by people who read his writings because of the "abundance of the revelations"contained in his body of work....his writings.... a "messenger of Satan"....an angel of Satan....a thorn in the flesh....was given to "buffet" him.

(2 Cor 12:6 KJV) For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.[/B]

"Thorn" is "skolops".....which means "withered at the front." This is not physical....this relates completely to his writings. For when his writings are read by people, a messenger of Satan confuses the meaning..."withered at the front".......so that the "abundance of the revelations" are not known by those who read his letters in order for Paul not to be exalted by people more than he should be. The messenger of Satan are those "unlearned" and "unstable" men who twist his words as stated by Peter...and keeps the "revelations" hidden:

[B](2 Pet 3:14 KJV) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Paul's writings will be "revealed" by our Lord Jesus Christ...but in the mean time, his letters have been misunderstood and wrested by the messengers of Satan...those unlearned and unstable men. "Paul" means "little"....his writings have been made "little." The unlearned have made the meanings of his work weak....but Paul still gloried in knowing this.....that the letters that he wrote....the wisdom contained in them would suffer at the hands...at the mouthes....of those that would confuse them....weaken them...the infirmites. But he knew that one day, the Lord would strengthen his letters by the revelation of the full truth contained in them.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

This releasing of the weakness of Paul's writing on the "third time".....for in verse 14 he says he is ready to come to us....at the "third time" .....his writings will be revealed for what they are truly saying. So says Paul in 2 Timothy...that the Lord "stood with me and strengthened me"......"that by me the preaching might be FULLY KNOWN".....that we might "hear".....UNDERSTAND fully at the revelation of Jesus....and his work would be DELIVERED OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LION.....out of the messenger of Satan's mouth...who has "wrested" his message.


(2 Tim 4:17 KJV) Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

For Satan is as a roaring LION:

(1 Pet 5:8 KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The word for "thorn"...."skolops"....can be used for "cross".....think about that.

(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]

Paul’s letters will be 'opened' up to wisdom….to full understanding. Consider in the book of Acts, the woman 'Lydia' which means 'noble, kindness.' Lydia spiritually represents Wisdom…who is personified as a woman…a mother…. in the book of 'Proverbs'…..the book of 'Parables.'

(Acts 16:14 KJV) And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

'Lydia' meaning 'noble, kindness'…..is the 'virtuous woman' in Proverbs who represents wisdom who is noble and kind.

(Prov 31:26 KJV) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Lydia was a 'seller of purple'…..the 'virtuous woman' in Proverbs also makes clothing of silk and 'purple.' The woman….wisdom….has been protected from those who would misuse her…for she exists under the protection of the literal…which man’s understanding cannot penetrate without the wisdom of God….'for all her household are clothed with scarlet'…..the literalness that protects the deeper things of God from discovery until the appointed time.

(Prov 31:21 KJV) She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Lydia was of the city of 'Thyatria'…..which means 'sacrifice of labor.' The 'virtuous woman' in Proverbs also labors with her hands…Wisdom’s work will be rewarded.

(Prov 31:31 KJV) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Lydia was a worshipper of God….so also the 'virtuous woman'….Wisdom. Consider….'he shall have no need of spoil'….there is no dishonest gain to be had with true spiritual wisdom….as opposed to the literal that is used for such things.

(Prov 31:11 KJV) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Per Acts 16:14, Lydia’s heart was 'opened' by the Lord…..there will be a revelation of wisdom to those who listen to her… and 'she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul'….wisdom opens up Paul’s words…his letters…to understanding for those who hear. Those who finally understand what Paul has been saying in his letters can be cleansed of the things that have been made unclean by….by the twisting of his words by the messengers of Satan:

(Acts 16:15 KJV) And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

'Her household' represents all those who listen and embrace wisdom….for she is personified as a mother and those who listen are her children. She….Wisdom… 'constrains' us to come into her house and 'abide there.'

(Prov 31:27 KJV) She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Wisdom has built her house….and 'she crieth upon the highest places of the city:'

Proverbs 9: 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

And then in the following verse in Acts, we see the 'other woman'….the 'damsel' = the 'bondwoman' who has the 'spirit of divination:'

(Acts 16:16 KJV) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Her masters are brought 'much gain'…..those who use their own understanding of the literalness of the Scriptures for doctrines of error in order to deceive….so that they profit….the 'spirit of divination.' Men have used the Scriptures for their own lust…riches, congregations, church growth, fame, etc. The word 'divination' is 'puthon' which curiously is in Greek mythology is a serpent. Satan uses the literal Word to deceive…his ministers disguise themselves as 'ministers of righteousness' by using the 'wisdom' of the flesh…the literal…which is put forth by the one who poses as a messenger of 'light.'

(2 Cor 11:14 KJV) 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.

And following further in Acts, we find Paul being 'grieved' by the bondwoman who brought her masters much gain….and he 'turned'…meaning Paul’s writings bring forth spiritual meaning….Truth…which drives out this 'spirit of divination' from the bondwoman…from the literalness. No longer can one use Paul’s writings as a cloak for deception…but cause the Truth of his words drive away all misinterpretations….and no one will any longer be deceived by such who 'wrest' his letters.

(Acts 16:17 KJV) The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

[shawn]

Paul’s 'infirmities' are the ways by which his letters have been received and misused by the natural understanding of man. His 'body' of work has suffered through weakness… 'persecutions' at the knowledge of those who would 'wrest' his writings to their own advantage. Paul, knowing this ahead of time, instead chose to glory about those weaknesses that his letters would endure….knowing also that his work will be made strong by the Lord in due time.


(2 Cor 12:9 KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Yes, Paul personally suffered many things….but the main point he tried to get across was that his writings would come under attack by the messengers of Satan…those that would make his work…works of the flesh instead of the Spirit…to be literalized in order to capture people with the deceptions for gain. For we have been in 'Achaia'….which means 'trouble'….under their assault on Paul's writings and our spiritual lives:

(2 Cor 1:1 KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Paul also referred to the trouble his body of work would endure as being in Macedonia…that his 'flesh had no rest'…that his letters would be wrested:

(2 Cor 7:5 KJV) For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

In Acts, it shows a brief outline of the spiritual progression of his work by his literal journey: Paul 'purposed in the spirit'….when his body of work…his letters would pass through the period of trouble at the mouths of Satan’s messengers, he would go to 'Jerusalem'….which is heavenly Wisdom and then he 'must also see Rome.' 'Rome' means 'strength.' His writings would go through a time of trouble (Achaia) and then spiritual Wisdom would be given to his work which would make him strong…his letters will be instrumental in saving us from our sins and from the hands of the enemy that have taken the church captive by their errors of interpretation.

(Acts 19:21 KJV) After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

The meaning of Paul’s writings, the full knowledge of the gospel, has been hindered by Satan…by the wresting of his words. We have not comprehended this full knowledge of the gospel yet:

(1 Th 2:17 KJV) But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul tells us we should pray always…and for him also…so that 'utterance may be give unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.' To open his mouth boldly….so that his letters may finally be opened to understanding…to make known the 'mystery' of the gospel. For the gospel preached by Paul has been kept a mystery.

(Eph 6:18 KJV) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

He is in a 'chain'…. 'bonds'….and he hopes to finally speak as he ought to speak…plainly of the gospel….for the release of the full meaning of the gospel.

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

And Paul tells us that what has happened to his body of work…the wresting of his letters…will have an end result of the 'furtherance of the gospel.'

(Phil 1:12 KJV) But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

For all of his letters have been in 'bonds:'

(Phil 1:13 KJV) So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

As some have misused Paul’s writings to preach Christ with contention….envy and strife…supposing it would add affliction to his bonds…that would cause even more confusion of his letters.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

The other group teaches with love….knowing that Paul’s writings will be strengthened to overpower the wresting of them.

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Even with the current condition of his writings….the 'weakness'….Paul still rejoices…for he glories in the weakness knowing that Christ is still preached….knowing the final outcome....the strengthening of his "body" of work.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Paul has had 'earnest expectation' and hope that when his writings reveal the fullness of the Truth, Christ will be magnified through his writings. Even in weakness, his writings have magnified Christ… in weakness, being wrested = 'by death'….and when strength comes from the Lord, his writings will magnify Christ 'by life.'

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

The gospel has been hid and stays hidden to those who reject the revealed Truth of Paul’s writings…and the rest of the bible also. It is hidden from those who say they know God but deny Him with their works.

(2 Cor 4:3 KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Those of Hymenaeus and Philetus state that the resurrection is past already….they say that we have the FULL Truth now…which overthrows faith…faith in the Lord that he will deliver us from wicked men and from sins we have been living in…..it is 'concerning the truth' they have been in error. For the revealing of the full Truth has not taken place yet….the restoration of spiritual truth….the resurrection.

(2 Tim 2:17 KJV) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

The persecution…the wresting of Paul’s letters and the rest of the Scriptures…is equivalent to the 'bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.' They share in the death of the Lord by the twisting of the Scriptures at the hand of the enemy…which they use the 'letter' of the Scriptures to deceive…bringing 'death'…….but when the hidden gospel is revealed, it brings the life also of Jesus…manifest 'in our body.' The body of work shows the true message which brings renewed spiritual life to those hearers and doers.

(2 Cor 4:10 KJV) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

[shawn]

Paul tells us the 'outward man perish'….the literalness of his words decays by those who use it for deception. It's exterior is the "outward man"...the understanding of the earthly man.

(2 Cor 4:16 KJV) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Paul calls the twisting of the literal a 'light affliction'….but only for a moment. The conclusion of all things is that his work and the Scriptures enduring 'light affliction' at the present time will give way to 'exceeding and eternal weight of glory'….at the revealed Truth.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

The things which are seen…..the literal understanding of the Scriptures of the earthly man…will be dissolved so that the eternal things...those things not seen will come to fruition. The spiritual house built on the spiritual understanding of the Scriptures….a house not made with hands….not made based on the literal understanding and teachings of earthly man but on the wisdom and revelation of God.

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

This period of 'trouble' will end for the saints and for Paul’s work. For in due time, his body of work will shine with meaning…and so will all the Scriptures. Their will be 'triumph' in Christ…at his unveiling of the hidden knowledge of the Word….he makes 'manifest' the 'savour of his knowledge by us in every place:'

(2 Cor 2:14 KJV) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

For when we believe and repent at the unveiling of the full Truth, we become to God a 'sweet savour of Christ' in them that are saved:

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Those that perish are those who reject the unveiled Truth of the Scriptures are the 'savour of death unto death.' They reject their own mercy.

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

We are to 'stand fast' in one Spirit and one mind and not be terrified by those who resist the Truth (those adversaries who say they are of God but are not.) When they rise and resist…they deride and defame those who believe in the Truth…that is their 'evident token of perdition' and to you of salvation.

(Phil 1:27 KJV) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

We are given the opportunity not only to believe in Christ….his words at his revelation of the Truth…but also to suffer for his sake when we separate from those who would like us to remain enslaved to their understanding and teachings.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

We share in the afflictions of Paul:

(Phil 4:14 KJV) Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

We receive the Word of God which we 'hear' from the writings of Paul…and not as the word of men….who wrest his words. What we 'hear' with our 'ears' is Truth…and there is power in the Truth:

(1 Th 2:13 KJV) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

For those who hear the Truth will suffer things by our own 'countrymen'…by those of our own churches:

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

They 'corrupt' …. 'to retail'…the Word of God….in order to deceive…for gain. 'Many' do this:

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

For they stick to the 'letter' instead of choosing the Spirit of the writings:

(2 Cor 3:6 KJV) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

It says in 'Romans'…meaning 'strength'…to those in the strength (Rome) of the Truth…that there are those who change the Truth of God into a lie….they worship and serve the 'creature' more than the Creator. The 'creature' being the literal Word….that only signifies the spiritual things.

(Rom 1:25 KJV) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

The 'creature' ..the Scriptures… has been made subject to 'vanity'….worthless, unprofitable words contrived by men who use the literalness of it to deceive....all per the plans of God though….who has made all powers and authorities in accordance to His will. For it will be delivered from the bondage of decay brought on by those who have used it in such a way (to deceive)…for God gives us the gift of the Truth…and as sons of God we are to disclose the spiritual wisdom….the 'manifestation'…the 'disclosure' of the Truth. It is the 'disclosure' of the sons of God that the creation waits for.

(Rom 8:19 KJV) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

For God will give to us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge ('epignosis'= full discernment) of him…it is our inheritance to speak the wisdom of God and the revelation…the 'disclosure.'

(Eph 1:16 KJV) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 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:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Those who look at the outward appearance of the Scriptures, observe the 'letter' of the writings without the Spirit of Truth:

(2 Cor 10:7 KJV) Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

We are to have patience for the Lord…to be patient for the unveiling of the Truth…to be patient as the ungodly use the Scriptures for their own advantage…we are to be patient and have faith that God will redeem us from such men…from their understandings…from their teachings….from their prisons. We have not seen this deliverance yet….but we hope for it.

(Rom 8:25 KJV) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

We are to wait upon the Lord:

(Psa 27:14 KJV) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

At the revelation of the Truth, there will still be those who focus just on the 'letter'…Paul’s letters are seen by those as just historical with no power and deed to them….those that 'think of us as if we walked according to the flesh:'

(2 Cor 10:2 KJV) But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Paul’s letters have been wrest by those unlearned and unstable men…we have all suffered by not understanding them…and it was meant to be....for a time… 'for a season:'

(2 Cor 7:8 KJV) For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

The 'sorrow' we have experienced with his writings have been at the hands of those unlearned and unstable men who have twisted the meaning and caused others to stray off the path of righteousness…they saw Paul according to the flesh But at the unveiling of his message….at the resurrection of spiritual Truth, his letters speak meaning…we 'hear with our ears' what he is really saying…which produces godly sorrow…one of repentance to salvation…the true 'sorrow' we need to experience after being in the 'sorrow' of the 'world'….the 'world' being the 'orderly arrangement' of the current religious world. This sorrow of the world works 'death'….devoid of spiritual Truth and Life…because it is caused by the literal reading of the 'letters' of the Scriptures…without the Spirit of Truth.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

We are to come out from those who see the writings according to the flesh…the outward appearance…which is worthless. For we are the 'Corinthians' Paul is speaking to TODAY…his message is very real and is full of power for us TODAY. His mouth is 'opened' up for us TODAY. The true meaning is here…and we are to act on it:

(2 Cor 6:11 KJV) O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

Paul has not withheld his affections for us, but it is we that have withheld it from him…by those who literalize his words and meanings.

12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

We are to not keep company with those who reject the spiritual meaning…for they follow 'idols'… doctrines invented by the literalizing of the Scriptures…who refuse to come to the knowledge of God. We are to come to obedience…when we know and understand this.

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

For the weapons of warfare are not the literal…they are spiritual…and they cast down all those man-made doctrines that exalts themselves against the knowledge of God…the Truth sets us free from such things….true freedom.

(2 Cor 10:5 KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And when we no longer keep company with the 'unclean thing'…when we fulfill our obedience to the Truth, we are prepared to revenge all disobedience…against those things that make a stand against the Truth.

6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

[shawn]

Romans 16 is an interesting read. Here, Paul seems to be just greeting historical people in Rome which precedes a seemingly out-of-place warning to avoid those who cause divisions....who are against Paul's doctrine. But there is an underlying spiritual meaning here. Paul is telling us who to "salute" or embrace and who to avoid in the time of the discernment of the Truth...it is a message for NOW and not just 2000 years ago.....a very relevant message for explicitly today. It is to us who are in the time of "Rome"....in the "strength" of the Truth.

(Rom 16:1 KJV) I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Paul started by commending to us our sister Phebe. "Commend" meaning "to stand with, favorably introduce." "Phebe" means "bright, shining, radiant" and is a veiled reference to the "sister" Wisdom....the Wisdom of God is bright and shining.

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

Paul is stating that his words will stand and strengthen with wisdom....and Wisdom is a "servant" of the church...the "called out." The church is at "Cenchrea" which means "millet"....which is a small-seeded species of grain used for food. This is a reference to the present-time or near future when Wisdom provides spiritual food to those who have suffered through the famine of hearing the Word of God. Knowledge is increased and we purify ourselves with the knowledge of the Truth. And as the next verse says, we are to "receive her in the Lord as becometh saints".....we are to receive the heavenly wisdom of God...and to work with her as she directs us....she has been a "succourer" of many....she is an assistant...she is a mother to us all....and we are to follow her counsel:

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

We are to "greet" or embrace "Priscilla and Aquila"....."Priscilla" which means "ancient, venerable"....which is the woman Wisdom...she is ancient and pure...being with God since the beginning. "Aquila" means "eagle, sharp-eyed"....which is a reference to all those who have the mind of wisdom and are directed by her counsel....those who assist her in whatever business she has for us:

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Those with wisdom lay down their own necks....they share in the affliction of Christ and Paul....by those who stedfastly oppose the Truth when it is spoken. Those who are in their "house" are to be embraced....for they receive the love of the Truth. We are to "salute" or embrace "Epaenetus"....meaning "praised"....representing those who praise God through the preaching of the revealed Truth which has been hidden through the time of "trouble"..through the time of the famine of hearing the Word of God...through the time when the Scriptures were twisted and misinterpreted by the ungodly......they are those who are the "firstfruits of Achaia"....Achaia meaning "trouble"...they are those who are the first to learn and acknowledge the Truth which is revealed through the Spirit of Truth...they preach what they hear the Spirit says:

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

We are to "greet Mary"....to embrace wisdom who has been bitter because most have not heeded her counsel. "Mary" meaning "bitterness" shows us the condition of wisdom before the revealing of the Truth..she was bitter and labored hard for those who did not previously listen:

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

We are to "embrace" Wisdom...who is a mother to us all. We are to "greet" her...we are to "salute" her and all those who do the same.

(Prov 4:8 KJV) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

We are to "salute" Andronicus and Junia:

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

"Andronicus" means "man of victory" and "Junia" means "youthful." They had been "fellowprisoners"....these are those who all lived by faith in times past....whose records of testimony make up the Scriptures. We have the law and the prophets....we have Psalms...and the wisdom books.....all records of the faith of those who were in "Christ before me".....as Paul states. They are "of note" among the apostles...they are eminent....some of them are listed by Paul in Hebrews 11. They had been fellowprisoners....as their testimonies were to be not to be heeded and understood until the appointed time....just as Paul's letters also are misunderstood and twisted...until the "resurrection" of the spiritual Truth....which brings Life to those hearers and doers. Once they "speak"...their records of faith are understood....they have victory in Christ...."Andronicus"....it is a "new song"....."Junia"....."youthful"....in Wisdom....the "NEW" Jerusalem.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

We are to "greet Amplias".....which means "enlarged." Those who hear the hearts of all those who lived in faith (through the increase of knowledge) and who provided for us spiritual food...their hearts are "enlarged" to us....our hearts also are to be "enlarged."

(Rom 16:8 KJV) Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

We are to "salute Urbane".....meaning "of the city"....which is a reference to New Jerusalem....the heavenly city (wisdom) of God.

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

We are to "salute Apelles" which means to embrace all those have been called, tried, and approved in Christ who are of the household of "Aristobulus" which means "early, best counsel"....those "little children" who are born of Wisdom...they are the firstfruits of the time of "trouble" where nothing has been understood... in the famine of hearing the Word of God.

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

We are to "salute Herodion".....his kinsman....those that were the countrymen of Paul according to the flesh...."Herodion" means "heroic" and represents all those "heroes of faith" we read about in the Scriptures...again,of which some are listed in Hebrews 11. Paul was a "Hebrew of the Hebrews." We are to greet those OUT of "Narcissus." In this verse, "household" has been added by the translators...and it does not appear in the Greek...it should read OUT OF "NARCISSUS.....which means "stupefaction"....in other words, we are to embrace the teachings of the "cloud of witnesses" in the full discernment of the revealed truth.....after the time of "stupefaction" when nothing was revealed and understood....out of darkness.

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

We are to "salute" Tryphena and Tryphosa......both references to Wisdom which mean "luxurious" and " luxuriating"....wisdom and understanding....which labor in the Lord. We are to salute the beloved "Persis" ....which means "woman of Persia"....which is a reference to Queen Esther of Persia....who signifies the "hidden" wisdom of God which is revealed at the appointed time.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

We are to salute "Rufus" .....who is "chosen in the Lord." "Rufus" meaning "red" and is a reference to the Jews, who like Esau, sold their birthright....who should have inherited the promises but did not....because of unbelief.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

They are still "chosen in the Lord"....their election is of God...and they are beloved for the fathers' sake...they shall be grafted in again:

(Rom 11:28 KJV) As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Their "mother" is the Wisdom of God:

(Rom 11:33 KJV) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Who can we compare to God? Who is like God? "Asyncritus" means "incomparable"....we are to salute those brothers which are with the Wisdom of God.....those of "Phlegon"....meaning those who are "blazing"...they are ministers of blazing fire....they receive the love of the Truth and teach it....those who are "messengers of God" = "Hermas" and "Hermes" and those who have the "Life of the Father" in them = "Patrobas." They preach the Word of God in Truth....and save those who hear them.

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

We are to "salute" Philologus.....which means "friend of the Word"...those who love the Truth. "Julia" meaning "youthful"....showing those little children who are of "New" Jerusalem. "Nereus" means "wet, ship"...the Word of God is the "ship"....it provides the water of Life....and "his sister" would be wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures. "Olympas" refers to the "heaven-sent" wisdom...which descends from God:

15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

Olympas......of the great and high mountain of God.....heavenly wisdom that descends....which is from above:

(Rev 21:10 KJV) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Wisdom is from above....."Olympas"....heavenly-descended:

(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.

(James 3:15 KJV) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

(James 3:17 KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Our God sends His wisdom....his power from above....and delivers us out of "great waters"....delivers us from the power of "strange children"....from those who twist the Scriptures to their advantage and have inprisoned us with their deceit:

(Psa 144:7 KJV) Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

We are to embrace all of those who receive the love of the revealed Truth...those who embrace heavely wisdom:

(Rom 16:16 KJV) Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

But we are to AVOID those who do not....not to "salute" these at all:

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Although they say they serve the Lord, they do not....they serve their own lusts. They use "great, swelling" words in order to deceive those who acknowledge the revealed Truth...and they deceive the "hearts of the simple:"

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

For those who reject the full discernment of the Truth...will try to deceive those who escape from their errors.....they will try to forbid those who seek to assemble under heavenly wisdom and to be of one mind and spirit...knit together in love for each other and of the pure Truth...they will not assemble with us in the love of the Truth:

(Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

They will try to forbid the "simple" to embrace Wisdom...to receive the love of the Truth (forbidding to marry.) And commanding to "abstain from meats"....which is symbolic of the full discernment of the Truth of the Word of God....they do not want people to receive the teachings and love of the Truth:

(1 Tim 4:3 KJV) Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For heavenly wisdom gives her "meat" to her household:

(Prov 31:15 KJV) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Those who will tell us to "abstain" from Truth...the meat of the Word, desire for us to eat of their meat of deception:

(Prov 23:3 KJV) Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

Wisdom gathers her children....she is a female assembler....as the Hebrew word indicates for "preacher" in "Ecclesiates"...." qoheleth"...which is a "female" word for assembler...and Solomon which means "peace"...is all symbolic for the peace that heavenly wisdom brings....and not like the vanity of vanities that earthly wisdom brings.

(Eccl 1:1 KJV) The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

For the doctrines of winds have been appointed by God to keep the way of the tree of life.....to keep Wisdom protected and hidden until the appointed time when she discloses her secrets. Man has labored for things which do not profit. The doctrines have kept him from the Truth of the Scriptures. They have kept the words of the Scriptures in the literal where the mind of man is unstable...being blown about with the wind...it turns about into the "north"...."tsaphown" which means "hidden, dark".....heavenly Wisdom is hidden behind the darkness of the literal....and the wisdom of man (winds of doctrines) who uses the literal understanding for his "works." The religious works of man are meaningless and a chasing after the wind.

(Eccl 1:6 KJV) The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

Jesus comes to "still" the wind....at the appointed time, heavenly wisdom brings peace and fruits of righteousness to those who listen:

(Mark 4:39 KJV) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Wisdom has "labored much in the Lord"....she furnishes her table with the best of meat and wine.....the Truth of the Word...and she calls those "simple in heart" to come to her for understanding...to eat of her prepared meat and wine....and to forsake those who seek to make merchandise of us....to depart from the sorrows of "death"...from the floods of ungodly men.... and live the Life that God has prepared for us:

Proverbs 9: 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

[shawn]

Before I "ramble on"....."to sing my song"....at the risk of sounding like a fool (which I do anyway, so I'm safe to say it), I just want to sound a warning....to whom it may concern...to not go on any planned ROAD BICYCLING excursions...go mountain biking instead. I would rather cross paths with a mountain lion in the hills than a distracted driver on the road...I fear an accident. I'll leave it at that.

Continuing...

The spiritual wisdom of God is hidden…Paul states that the Scriptures speak the wisdom of God in a mystery:

(1 Cor 2:6 KJV) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

The wisdom of this world is the wisdom of man’s understanding of the Scriptures. According to man’s understanding, the Scriptures speak only from the surface. The 'princes of this world' just look at the literal….that is their source of power over people. The face value of the Scriptures…the 'covering' of the spiritual Truth is 'ornamental.' Man can not understand the Scriptures without the Spirit of Truth. For God will shine forth from 'mount Paran'…. 'Paran' meaning 'ornamental.' His wisdom will shine from the 'covering' of the Scriptures.....rather the "cover" gets removed and the Truth springs out of the earth.

(Deu 33:2 KJV) And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

Those who have used the 'ornamental' covering of the Scriptures (without the Spirit of Truth) have produced children with it…..doctrines, riches, followers, etc. We can look back to Cain’s offspring to see this. We see 'Lamech' having 2 wives. 'Lamech' meaning 'powerful' represents the power of the wisdom of this world (of the religious world)….the wisdom of men produced by the literal understanding (without the spiritual). One wife was named 'Adah' which means 'ornament'…indicating that the power of the princes of this religious world is based on being married to the plain understanding of the Scriptures. The other wife was named 'Zillah' which means 'shade, shadow' which signifies that the literalness of the Scriptures are only 'shadows' of the spiritual Truth….the heavenly things.

(Gen 4:19 KJV) And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

'Adah' (ornament) bare 'Jabal'…..meaning 'a stream, to bring forth'….so the fathers (the princes of the religious world) with the understanding of the 'ornamental covering' of the Scriptures had brought forth all those who 'dwell in tents'….they dwell in the 'covering' of the Scriptures…they sit as judges…they marry the wisdom of men…they have 'cattle'….they possess those underneath them…they rule over many people and have them in their possession by means of the power of the literal understanding. These things they teach to keep those underneath them as one keeps cattle.

20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

And Jabal had a brother name 'Jubal' which also means 'stream, to bring forth.' He was the father of all those who 'handle the harp and organ.' The word 'handle' is the Hebrew word 'taphas' which means 'to manipulate'….they manipulate the 'harp and organ.' The harp is a reference to the Scriptures. They manipulate the Scriptures to their advantage.

21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

When we praise God on the harp, we are speaking the spiritual Truth of the Scriptures….presenting the Word with the Truth and not teaching with the literal-minded wisdom of man that seeks to deceive those hearers. We sing the new song with the harp…singing the spiritual Truth of the Scriptures….correctly interpreting the Word with the Spirit of Truth.

(Psa 147:7 KJV) Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

(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:
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.

Zillah also bore 'Tubalcain'….meaning 'the stream or offspring of Cain.' Tubalcain was an instructor of every 'artificer in brass and iron'…..artificer = fabricator.

22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

Fabricating things in brass and iron refers to the doctrines of men who source these things by the misuse or twisting of the Scriptures. They seem to have biblical authority and they keep people in spiritual chains of brass and fetters of iron. Tubalcain’s sister was 'Naamah' which means 'pleasure'….they live in pleasure off the people with these things. They delight in wickedness. We are supposed to stay away from the 'strange woman'…. 'Naamah.' She is the sister of those who twist the Scriptures into doctrines of men to imprison those simple of heart. We are to listen to the wisdom of God and not the wisdom of men....who flatter us with their words for advantage.

(Prov 7:4 KJV) Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

The strange woman decks her bed with 'coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.' She represents the earthly wisdom that uses/twists literal teachings of the Scriptures...the "coverings of tapestry"….manifesting itself as works of righteousness…..the fine linen of Egypt. Egypt is symbolic of the literal.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

For her ways lead one astray from righteousness….from Life in God. Her house is the way to 'hell'…Hades or Sheol…the 'grave.' Her house is the chambers of 'death.'

25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

And many have gone down that road…through the wide gate of destruction. They have been deceived by those who pose as 'ministers of righteousness.' Those ministers of Satan that have deceived people with their flattering lips and great feigning shows of righteousness and doctrines that are based on the literal Scriptures… devoid of the Truth behind them. People that go to their houses don’t know they are in the 'chambers of death.'

(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:

This is why Jesus tells the 7 churches that he has the keys to 'hell' and death….because they are in the presence of hell and death….many have fallen victim to those that deceive....those powers of death. Jesus reveals to us the Truth of the Scriptures by which we are able to depart from these….we overcome those who seek to make merchandise of us. Their whole purpose is for gain…to gain from those who listen to them.

(Rev 1:18 KJV) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

When we hear the revealed Truth of the Scriptures, we awake out of the 'dust of the earth'…for we have been 'asleep'….we have not heard from Jesus the revelation of the Truth…it has been a long time coming. Our understanding has been only in the literal…in the 'dust of the earth'…not with heavenly wisdom which is from above. Those who resist and contradict the revealed Truth will find shame and contempt as their reward:


(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.

Jesus's message is to the 7 churches in "Asia"...."Asia" meaning "sunrise, east"....it is those in the time of the spiritual morning..the "sunrise" of the Truth...the time to awaken...to awaken from the "dust of the earth." To "shake the dust".....to reveal the spiritual Truth...to have all literal, man-understood meanings shaken and fallen in the presence of the Truth....to remove all those things that can be shaken, so that those things that can't will stand firm. We are to be in the strength of the Truth...."put on thy strength." Put on the beautiful garment of Truth and righteousness.

(Isa 52:1 KJV) 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.
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.

As Paul says in "Romans".....which means "strength"....telling us who are in the "strength" of the Truth....who has "put on thy strength", to awaken out of the sleep...out of the dust of the earth....out of works of darkness brought by those who twist the Scriptures to their own destruction.

(Rom 13:11 KJV) 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.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

And those who turn many to true righteousness….not the 'righteousness' taught by man….but the righteousness of God produced by the revelation of the Truth, will shine as the stars of heaven.

(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.

For in the resurrection of the spiritual Truth, they (the wise) are as the messengers (angels) of God….they speak what they hear the Spirit says:

(Mat 22:30 KJV) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

For knowing the Truth of the Scriptures is not through the wisdom of men....not through the commandments of men....as Jesus told the disciples of the Pharisees, they do error because they know not the Scriptures...it is through the power of God that we understand them...we hear His voice and understand.

(Mat 22:29 KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

The hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice…..we listen for his voice…the voice of Truth….the voice of the correct interpretation of the Scriptures with spiritual meaning…and when we do, we come forth….either to purify ourselves with the Truth or we hear it and deny and contradict the Truth which brings judgment upon ourselves.

(John 5:28 KJV) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

For Jesus was a sign to those powerful Jewish leaders who spoke against him...in order to reveal the thoughts of many hearts:

(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.

And so also, in the time of the revealed Truth, there will be those who speak against it....the revealing of the man of sin....who reveals himself by the way he handles the Truth....those men who resist and contradict it. They will receive not the love of the Truth in order to be saved from the judgment....they will refuse to depart from their sins....their works of darkness. For by their words they shall be condemned....it is how the Truth will be received or rejected by men that will determine their condition....for Life or for judgment.

(Mat 12:34 KJV) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

[Silence]

Shawn,
It is interesting that you mentioned "the man of sin" in your last post. The only other time the Greek word huper-airo (translated "exalted above measure'' in 2 Cor. 12:7) is used in the bible is found in 2 Thess. 2:4. The man of sin "exalts himself above" all that is called God or is worshipped. Although Paul had seen and heard things that are beyond anything we can comprehend, he also says plainly that the "man" he was while in the third heaven was not the same man he was once he came back. Maybe he knew that he could not yet live up to the revelations if he were to begin to make them known. (For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or he heareth of me. He wanted people's estimation of him to be in line with what they heard and saw in him. The man of sin will probably do just the opposite. He will use every means at his disposal to get people to have an inflated perception of him. I wonder if he will use "an abundance of revelations" to help do this?

[shawn]

Hi Silence,

Thanks for reading!

Paul stated that his written work will eventually reveal the wisdom of God…even though for now it has been twisted by unlearned and unstable men (in the mouth of the lion)….which are the 'infirmities' that his letters have suffered at their misunderstanding. Yet he glories in these 'infirmities' knowing that his words will be made known in spiritual truth (to come to vision and revelations of the Lord)….so that they will be finally understood by those who read them.

(2 Cor 12:1 KJV) It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I am aware that Paul could be talking about himself here concerning being caught up to the third heaven. But for now, using logic, I see that Paul did not know whether the man in Christ was 'in the body' or out of the body….so I suspect he is not talking about himself but another man…..he 'knew such a man'….a strange thing to repeat if he was talking about himself.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

I suspect Paul is talking here about John, the writer of Revelation. He would rather glory about the revelation contained in John’s writing than his own….which is also abundant in revelation. For John was caught up to heaven in the Spirit and heard and saw those things which he wrote down in a highly metaphoric language. He was also not permitted to write down those things he heard the 7 thunders utter.

(2 Cor 12:4 KJV) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

John was caught up in the Spirit of the revelation of the truth (paradise)….a 'door was opened in heaven'….he was told to 'come up hither'…to ascend…to be 'caught up.' Also, note that after the command to 'come up hither,' John was to be shown the 'things which must be hereafter'….the 'third heaven'…he saw the throne that was set in heaven and one sat on it.

(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.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

The 'third heaven'…I think….refers to the 'new heaven' which has not been revealed yet…the things which must be hereafter….John was given vision and revelation of what it looked like in symbols. For we look forward to a 'new heaven and new earth' where righteousness will dwell.

(2 Pet 3:13 KJV) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

I don’t think the reference to heaven and earth is the literal heaven and earth. The current 'heaven and earth' refers to the current religious system…the 'orderly arrangement' that is set up now. Those rulers in heaven are those who have leadership over us (there are wicked rulers in high places.) But we look forward to the new arrangement wherein dwells righteousness and is established by Truth.

About being in the body or out….I think this refers to not the literal body, but the body of the Scriptures. Since John, the writer of Revelation, heard things that were not lawful for man to utter, Paul, I speculate, did not know if it would be written down….to be included 'in the body' of the Scriptures….since what he heard was unspeakable. But John wrote about what he saw in a very metaphoric way…a way in which no man can ascertain the meaning of….even though many have tried.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

Paul knew the importance of what John had saw and heard in the 'third heaven'…and gloried of him. Paul stated that he would 'desire to glory'…he knew his letters will 'say the truth'…the full revealed truth at the appointed time. But he said…. 'but now I forbear'….meaning that his written work will 'abstain' from showing the truth (by the persecutions )…not by his will but by God’s will until the appointed time…so that Paul would not be elevated in people’s minds in the mean time because of the abundance of the revelations contained in his letters.

(2 Cor 12:6 KJV) For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

And to keep the abundance of the revelations hidden from men so that Paul would not be lifted up in men’s eyes above measure, there was given to Paul a 'thorn in the flesh'….the messenger of Satan…those 'unlearned and unstable' men who read his letters at face value and form doctrines based on their own understanding….who literalize them….to literalize is to be 'in the flesh'…and so the abundance of revelations are kept hidden from men until the appointed time. 'Paul' means 'little'…so his letters have been made 'little'…or in 'weakness'…at the abuse of the mouths of unlearned men…until the appointed time when the revealed truth makes him strong (his letters will reveal the truth by the power of God)…the Lord will strengthen.

(2 Cor 12:7 KJV) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

But the Lord will stand and strengthen Paul's writings for our salvation...so that we may understand his words.....so that they may be "fully known" and that all of us might "hear." For Paul's words will be delivered "out of the mouth of the lion"...out of the messenger of Satan.

(2 Tim 4:17 KJV) Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord will deliver Paul's writings from every evil work...from all those who have twisted his message to do evil with.

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It is Christ speaking through Paul…that is what his letters reflect…but his witness (his letters) would suffer just as Christ suffered…until the resurrection of the truth.

(2 Cor 13:3 KJV) Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

For Paul’s writings are a 'chosen vessel' for the Lord…one that would suffer great things at the mouths of the messengers of Satan. Yes, Paul suffered many things in his physical body…but those things were symbolic of what would happen to his body of letters…he knew what would happen to them by his personal, physical suffering.

(Acts 9:15 KJV) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

We all will glory in the Lord…through the revealed truth. Paul’s words was not with man’s wisdom…it will be a demonstration of the Spirit and of power when his words will reveal their true meanings.

(1 Cor 2:4 KJV) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We glory in the Lord….we will speak the revealed truth of the Scriptures…that is our glory (and Paul’s) in the Lord…it is our inheritance to show the meaning of the hidden wisdom of God behind the literal.

(1 Cor 2:7 KJV) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

For it is the glory of God to conceal a thing….to conceal the spiritual meaning behind the literalness of the Scriptures…but it is the glory of kings to search out a matter….to know and understand the Scriptures with the Spirit of Truth guiding us…and not with the wisdom of man...for we need no man to teach us.

(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.

As Paul tells the overcomers in the church…the church in 'Thessalonians'…which means 'victory' and is a direct message to us today….we are the glory and joy of Paul…for we will be given the hidden manna….and we will be able to share with each other the hidden wisdom behind Paul’s writings and the rest of the Scriptures.

(1 Th 2:20 KJV) For ye are our glory and joy.

Now the 'man of sin' will hold the revealed truth in unrighteousness…for the revealed Truth will be clearly seen from the literal…those things that were made will reflect the invisible, heavenly things. The "man of sin" is a collective group of people.

(Rom 1:18 KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

For Jesus has told us ahead of time that there will be nothing hidden that will not be revealed…..the wisdom of God will no longer be concealed…the Scriptures will reveal the Truth….and the hearts of men will also be revealed…they will receive the love of the revealed truth and be saved or reject it or seek to abuse the Truth with their wickedness.

(Mark 4:22 KJV) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Let us look at Judas….the son of perdition…as the example of the man of sin.

(John 13:26 KJV) Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

This was a literal occurrence which shows a spiritual reality for today. Jesus gives the bread of Truth to those who hear….the interpretation of the Scriptures is the breaking of bread…Jesus reveals to us the Truth…breaking down the Scriptures so that the spiritual meaning is understood….it is dipped in the Spirit of Truth….the water of life. Judas was of 'Simon'…which means 'hearing'….representing those who receive the knowledge of the Truth. Yet 'Judas' having received some of the bread of Truth went 'immediately out'….it was 'night.'

(John 13:30 KJV) He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

This represents those who have received the Truth….knowing God….and glorify Him not as God…..and become darkened in their hearts.

(Rom 1:21 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

They change the Truth of God into a lie…they go immediately out into the night.

(Rom 1:25 KJV) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

They are essentially saying they are God when they do these things…they put their understanding over His…they use their wisdom (man’s wisdom) for the interpretation of the Scriptures….showing that they are the correct interpreters in the face of the revealed Truth of God....by the Spirit of Truth. They willfully continue in their evil works.

(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.

They are blinded to the Truth because they received not the love of the Truth…they are given a strong delusion so that they believe in a lie. They are blinded just as the messengers (angels) did to those men of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah. Judas "Iscariot"...."Iscariot" ="man of Kerioth"...."Kerioth" means "cities."

(Gen 19:11 KJV) And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

They did this at Lot’s door of the house. 'Lot' means 'veil, cover'….the literalness of the Scriptures = the veil that covers the wisdom of God. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah sought the messengers of God (the Truth) to do acts of unrighteousness….representing those who hold the truth in unrighteousness. And when they were smote with blindness, they 'wearied themselves' to find the door…which represents those ever learning but never coming to the acknowledgment of the revealed Truth….the 'knowledge'….the 'epignosis'…the full discernment of the Truth:

(2 Tim 3:7 KJV) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For once the revealed Truth is presented and is rejected, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. We are to purge ourselves when we receive the full Truth and not continue in our religious deeds of darkness.

(Heb 10:26 KJV) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

And what then is to be expected is judgment and wrath…fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries…to those who hold the revealed Truth in unrighteousness:

(Heb 10:27 KJV) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

For that is what happened to the men of Sodom and Gomorrah…fire and brimstone rained from heaven. And as the angels told Lot not to stay or get caught up in the iniquity of the city…so we are to heed the Truth and depart from those who practice unrighteousness:

(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 those we leave behind…who are destitute of the Truth…by their own doing…will be given over to a 'reprobate' mind….a rejected mind…because they have rejected the Truth…they are 'consumed in the iniquity of the city:'

(Rom 1:28 KJV) 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,

We are to hear and obey Paul's gospel which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul's name means "little"....which just happens to be the description of the city to which Lot escaped to...."is it not a little one?" "Zoar" means "little"....the same as Paul's name. This is all pointing to the revealed meaning of Paul's gospel in this end of the age...by which we escape from those living in error. Paul's gospel has a special meaning to us today....one to heed.

(Gen 19:20 KJV) Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

Zoar was also known as "Bela" which means "that which he swallowed up, devoured." Paul's (little) writings have been in the mouth of the lion...in the mouth of Satan....by the roaring lion that devours...that takes the meaning and twists it to deceive. But the Lord delivers Paul out of the mouth of the lion ...2 Timothy 4:17. And so we are delivered also from Hades and death....by those who have power over us...who have kept us captives....away from the truth.

'Outside' (like Judas going 'immediately out' into the night) are those who reject Truth:

(Rev 22:15 KJV) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

[shawn]

I see Nimrod as a hunter of men. Nimrod was the son of "Cush"...."Cush" means "blackness" and spiritually symbolizes that Nimrod's kingdom is one of darkness....one that is still with us today...one that is composed of doctrines of men which are devoid of any spiritual truth.

(Gen 10:8 KJV) And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

Some say "Nimrod" means "rebellion." He "began"...the Hebrew word "chalal" which means to "wound, to profane"...to be a "mighty one in the earth"....his kingdom is powerful and is based in the earthly wisdom of the Scriptures...the literalness, the surface of "the earth".....comprehending only the veil. Nimrod is a mighty hunter....a hunter of men with men's doctrines...and he is successful at what he does....he is appointed by God for a purpose.

9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

And the beginning of his kingdom was "Babel"...meaning "confusion"...for the confusion of the meaning of the Scriptures presents opportunities for wicked men to deceive the simple hearted They gain power over people through the confusion....using the literalness of the Scriptures. They are the wide gate that leads to ruin for many.

10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

"Erech" means "length"....which refers to the long time that his kingdom over men would endure...that confusion would reign until the revelation of Jesus Christ. "Accad" means "strength"...the kingdom of confusion is powerful and captures many. And the best meanings I could find for "Calneh" is "all of them" and for "Shinar" is "watch of him that sleeps." Which I speculate that all of the kingdom of Nimrod is asleep to the Truth...hence, the need for the church to awake out of its sleep in the spiritual morning and cast off the works of darkness.

Satan twists the Word of God from the spiritual meaning....literalizing the Scriptures...presenting the "veil" of the Scriptures as the Truth...earthly wisdom. His ministers present themselves as ministers o f righteousness by use of the veil....they teach doctrines and commandments of men all based on the earthly understanding of the Scriptures. In a spiritual sense they are the "heaven" that is over us...they are leaders that keep us in a spiritual prison....in bondage to doctrines of men...who keep us in check with "terror"......terror of "hell"...terror of "robbing God"....terror of disobeying man's commandments and doctrines.

(Deu 28:23 KJV) And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

But at the appointed time, the Lord will loosen their power (the stars fall from "heaven)....the "gates" open up:

(Isa 45:1 KJV) Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

The Lord makes the "crooked places straight".....He presents us with the spiritual Truth of the Word which breaks in pieces the gates of brass and cuts asunder the bars of iron:

2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

The Lord will give us the "treasures of darkness"....the "hidden riches of secret places"....the spiritual meanings behind the veil of the Scriptures....that we should know Him....to know His plans and will so that we may become clean and pure for the works of God and to let go of the "religious" works of earthly men.

3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

There is a hidden, spiritual wisdom yet to be revealed....wisdom has been silent...wisdom has been bereaved of her children....for all have gone astray...wisdom has been hidden as "treasures" in darkness...as "hidden riches of secret places." As we seen in Song of Solomon, she is dark....hidden...but she is beautiful:

(Song 1:5 KJV) I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

"Tents of Kedar"..."Kedar" means "dark".... is the "covering of darkness".... she is hidden from our view...she has been silent. Rachel, who represents Wisdom, was silent as Leah was given to Jacob. Leah was "weak eyed".....the natural wisdom, but Rachel was beautiful and favored....representing the spiritual wisdom:

(Gen 29:17 KJV) Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Let us look at the burden of "Dumah" in Isaiah. "Dumah" means "silence." The Lord calls to all who watch for Him...the "silence" is broken...wisdom speaks. He calls us out of "Seir"...which means "rough, shaggy, thicket"....again another reference to the exterior....wisdom speaks through the veil of the Scriptures:

(Isa 21:11 KJV) The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

"What of the night".....the night is passing away and the dawning of the spiritual Truth is upon us...and we are to understand (awaken to the Truth), return to the Lord and escape the power of darkness...but darkness is reserved to those who do not understand:

12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.

And continuing we can see the "burden of Arabia"...."Arabia" once again means "dark:"

13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

Those who escape from those in darkness will lodge "in the forest in Arabia." The "forest" is the spiritual Truth of the dark sayings of the bible. "Forest" = " ya'ar" which is the "honey in the comb"....the Truth in the "forest" which is the Scriptures. Those that escape will be fed....taught....by those with wisdom...the inhabitants of the land of "Tema"....which means "consummation, perfection" of the Truth in Christ:

14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

For we are to flee from Babylon...the confusion...so as not to share in the sins and plagues that will intensify over those who continue there....the strife and envy, the deceivers waxing worse and worse, the lack of love, etc.

15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

For all the "glory of Kedar"....the glory of darkness shall fail....for the Truth dissolves all of the works of darkness into nothing. The hirelings will bewail their loss of power over the flock of God...the literalness has nowhere to stand in the face of the spiritual Truth....all shadows will disappear.

16 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
17 And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

God comes to shake the earth and heaven....to shake the earthly wisdom of the Scriptures and those who use it (the heaven) to their advantage. Those things that are made....those literal understandings will be removed and the spiritual Truth will be left standing. All those things built upon the earthly understanding will disappear....to be removed:

(Heb 12:27 KJV) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

This is also shown in the shipwreck of Paul...those of the ship were driven up and down in "Adria"....which means "dark." In darkness we have been tossed about by doctrines of men....but we know we are coming to the revelation of the Truth eventually:

(Acts 27:27 KJV) But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

We were to have patience...faith... for the coming of the Lord with the spiritual Truth...and not rise up to play as the children of Israel did while they waited for Moses to come down from the mountain.

(Acts 27:31 KJV) Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

It was the 14th day.....which means the Passover....the coming of the giving of the spiritual Truth so that we may be saved from the wrath that is coming upon all disobedience...for we have all "tarried" and fasted for the spiritual Truth to be revealed:

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

The ship ran aground...the "forepart"...the superior knowledge... stuck fast and remained unmoveable....signifying the spiritual Truth that can't be moved. The "hinder part" are those things...things of earthly wisdom....that are shaken and removed....they are broken or "dissolved" with the violence of the waves:

(Acts 27:41 KJV) And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

And the name of the island to which they all escaped was called "Melita." Melita means "honey-sweet" which is the Wisdom of God:

(Acts 28:1 KJV) And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

(Psa 119:103 KJV) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

[Rose]

Hi Shawn


A very insightful post....there is much to be be contemplated upon. The Bible is a deep well of wisdom that quenches our thirst for Truth at whatever stage of spiritual growth we are at.

God Bless

Rose

[shawn]

Rose,

Thank you for words of encouragement.

Yes, the bible is a well of Truth. It is a well with a stone upon the 'mouth'…a stone (the literal...which has no life of its own) that the Lord removes (interprets for us) so that we may drink of the water of life. It is like Rachel coming with her Father’s sheep to the well in Genesis 29. 'Rachel' means an 'ewe'….a predominant female sheep…which is likened to Wisdom with her children…a keeper of God’s people…she is a keeper of sheep.

Genesis 29:7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

Our Lord rolls the stone from the well’s 'mouth'….the literal understanding is removed so that the spiritual understanding is revealed…which enables us (the sheep) to drink of the water of life. Rachel is symbolic for wisdom…the bride of Christ is heavenly wisdom from above…all who embrace wisdom, embrace the true Life in Christ.

10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

Let us look at the seven 'ewe' lambs of Abraham in Genesis 21. This took place at 'Beersheba' which means the 'well of the oath' or the 'well of the seven.' The seven ewe lambs that Abraham set by themselves are symbolic of the Seven Spirits of God…the complete knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. They testify to us God’s will.

(Gen 21:28 KJV) And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

The seven ewe lambs are the Lamb that has the The Seven Spirits of God upon him….the Anointed with the fullness of God…Christ.

(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 seven ewe lambs were 'set by themselves' by Abraham….meaning 'appointed' and 'separated'. The Seven Spirits of God are also set apart. They are 'sent forth' into all the earth…. 'sent forth' = the Greek word 'apostello' which means 'set apart.' The seven lambs were to be accepted by Abimelech from Abraham’s hand….the Hebrew word for 'hand' is 'yad'...which means "the OPEN hand"... which is symbolic of power. The Lamb with the Seven Spirits have seven horns = the power of God. The Lamb takes the book out of the right hand of Him that sits on the throne. The seven lambs were to be a witness unto Abraham…the the Lamb with the Seven Spirits of God is a witness unto God…seven eyes…. the spiritual wisdom of God. The Lord has the interpretation of the Scriptures…God’s Word through the mouth of Jesus…it is God who has 'digged this well.' It is God who interprets His Word and not man’s wisdom.


Gen 21:30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Only the Lamb who has the Seven Spirits of God can take the book and open the seals for us to understand the spiritual things behind the literal….the hidden manna. The Seven Spirits are 'sent forth into all the earth'….they will enlighten our understanding of the Scriptures… 'the earth.'

(Rev 5:9 KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

We are made to God kings and priests….and shall reign on 'the earth'…by interpreting…by revealing the secrets of the hidden wisdom….sharing the hidden manna which God gives to us.

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

For the 'earth' will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God….the Scriptures will shine with meaning…from one story to the next…from one verse to the next.

(Hab 2:14 KJV) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Continuing to a story of wells in Genesis….we find Isaac being told to leave the land of the Philistines. Isaac, here, represents Jesus and the 'Philistines' represents the Jewish leaders. 'Philistines' meaning 'rolling in dust'….represents those leaders who worshipped God in vain teaching doctrines and commandments of men…the 'dust of the 'earth'… that are based on the surface reading of the Scriptures (earthly wisdom) and not on the teaching of the Spirit of Truth (wisdom from above.)

(Gen 26:15 KJV) For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.

The 'Philistines' stopped up the hearing of the wisdom of God through Jesus…who has the living water. They stopped the hearing up of the law and the prophets with their commandments of men. They took away the key of the knowledge of God and prevented those they were leaders of who would enter into the kingdom from entering in.

(Luke 11:52 KJV) Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

The Philistines envied Isaac because he was great….the Jewish leaders also envied Jesus because of his wisdom and people followed him:

(Gen 26:14 KJV) For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

And so Jesus departed from them:

16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.

So Jesus took the kingdom from one people and gave it to another….in the 'valley of Gerar'….he made his dwelling among the church...among the gentiles. But it was still in the valley of 'Gerar' which means 'rolling earth.'

17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

The Lord’s shepherds in the church strove with the shepherds of 'Gerar'…those who roll in the earth... the literalness of the Scriptures…which they form doctrines of men with….the earthly wisdom of the Scriptures. They claim the water as 'ours' = doctrines of men.

19 And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

The name given by 'Isaac' to the well is 'Esek'….which means 'strife.' The earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom is not from above…it produces strife among the people of the church:

(James 3:15 KJV) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

The shepherds of 'Gerar' strove with the shepherds of the Lord...with the earthly wisdom…with the literalness of the bible….with the 'letter' of the writings. In fact the next well is named 'Sitnah'….which happens to be the feminine word for 'satan.' 'Sitnah' means 'opposition by letter.' The literalness of the bible (the 'letter') gives them their power over people…the power of darkness…where confusion over the meaning easily captures their prisoners. The well is given a woman’s name..Sitnah….she is earthly wisdom:


21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.

The third, last well represents wisdom from above…the heavenly wisdom of God…the 'New Jerusalem'….where peace reigns….where there is no strife….for they 'strove not' over this well….where there is fruits of righteousness. Her name is 'Rehoboth' which means 'wide street.' The wide street refers to the increase of the knowledge of God which produces fruits of righteousness….the wide street is the wide street of the city of New Jerusalem (God’s wisdom) which is of PURE gold…..pure wisdom…untainted by the garment stained by the flesh…untainted by doctrines of men. We can be fruitful with God’s wisdom….we worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.

Wisdom from above is first PURE...pure,clean gold…then PEACEFUL…no strife. It is full of good fruits:

(James 3:17 KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The street of the holy city Jerusalem (the Wisdom of God) is wide. The word for "street" is "plateia" which means a "wide street." Knowledge is increased and the fruits of righteousness abounds.

(Rev 21:21 KJV) And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Going back to the well 'Sitnah'…which means 'opposition by letter'….we see why there is opposition to the spiritual wisdom of God by the woman Folly…the earthly wisdom….who opposes the Truth and those who follow it. If we look in Ezra, we find a written letter of accusation (the word "sitnah'') against those of the spiritual Truth…..it threatens all of man’s religious works….his wealth….his teachings and institutions…his empire will crumble into nothing when it is revealed. The word 'Sitnah' appears here in verse 6…the letter of accusation. Accusation = "sitnah."

(Ezra 4:6 KJV) And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

Here is the letter they wrote…the letter they wrote to the king with their worries about the rebuilding of the city Jerusalem….the spiritual wisdom of God:

(Ezra 4:11 KJV) This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

The truth is feared by those who have grown rich by the earthly wisdom. The spiritual wisdom (the building of Jerusalem) will destroy all of religious men’s power over people. They worry over all of their riches that they extract from those who follow their deceptions.

12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

The Truth will cause a loss of revenue for the kings (those who lord over them instead of being a servant)…for those who enjoy their riches now in this life, will lose it. The earthly religious system will be destroyed…they have employed the literalness of the Scriptures to their advantage. They have made merchandise of us.

13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

We see many examples of the Truth saving the people of God in the Scriptures (the book of the records of the fathers) from their enemies and sin.

15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

Then the king answered the letter….he said 'Peace.' They say 'peace,peace' when there is no peace…only strife and division. They will say 'Peace and safety' at the revelation of the spiritual Truth:

17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

The king asks "why should damage grow to the hurt of kings?"....why should the Truth increase so that the income of the hirelings ceases.

22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Then they depart in haste to stop those with the Truth by 'force and power:'

23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

It is with all power and signs and lying wonders that Satan comes with to hinder the spiritual Truth…it is the 'force and power' that Rehum and Shimshai made the Jews cease. Those who love the deceivableness of unrighteousness in them will perish…because they received not the love of the Truth….the complete spiritual Wisdom of God ….the Seven Spirits of God that are before the throne.

(2 Th 2:9 KJV) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

[shawn]

Jesus will open the Scriptures to us....at the revelation of the spiritual meaning of the Word of God by the Spirit of Truth. Just as he opened the Scriptures to the disciples....the learners...the instructed:

(Luke 24:32 KJV) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

(Luke 24:45 KJV) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

The Lord has promised to give us another "Comforter"....the Spirit of Truth:

(John 14:16 KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Spirit of Truth is a comforter for wisdom and for us. For wisdom.....for "Rachel" (who is symbolic for the beautiful wisdom of God) has wept for her children....refusing to be comforted:

(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 she is comforted by the Lord who brings us out of the sleep of having no wisdom (we are delivered from the land of the enemy who keeps us in that condition.) We awaken to the wisdom of God....the bright, morning star.

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.
17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

For the Spirit of Truth comes to enlighten our understanding of the Scriptures as highlighted by Philip and the eunuch of Ethiopia in Acts 8. Philip is symbolic of the Spirit of Truth and all those who love the Truth. "Philip" means "fond of horses".....the Word of God rides upon a white horse...the Spirit of Truth.. and those who follow the Truth are also upon white horses....they are those who love the Truth...."fond of horses"...."Philip." In Revelation.....the "heaven opened" = the understanding of the Word of God is opened. The "white horse" is literally "light horse".....the Spirit of Truth is Light to our understanding....our Lord is Faithful and TRUE:

(Rev 19:11 KJV) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Jesus first mentioned the Spirit of Truth specifically to Philip in the book of John...hence, linking Philip symbolically to the Spirit of Truth:

(John 14:17 KJV) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

In Acts, we see Philip meeting the man of Ethiopia. "Ethiopia" means "scorched face" and refers to the darkness of the literal face of the Scriptures. He was a "eunuch"....the literalness of the Scriptures has not been productive without the spiritual meaning behind it. The "scorched face" also can be found in the Song of Songs.....Wisdom is black....because she is hidden from us with the literal surface of the Scriptures...."the sun hath looked upon me:"


(Song 1:6 KJV) Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

The darkness of the literal face of the Scriptures keeps the spiritual wisdom hidden (hidden treasures) until the appointed time = the eunuch of great authority had charge of the treasure of queen Candace. Candace....queen of the Ethiopians...is a reference to spiritual Wisdom....who is the queen of us all. Just as queen Esther...who is symbolic of the revealing of the hidden wisdom of God....the treasures of Candace (Wisdom) are kept hidden by the literalness of the Scriptures (the man of Ethopia.) "Candace" means "white, pure, sincere." Heavenly wisdom is pure and sincere....the Spirit of Truth is the white horse.

(Acts 8:26 KJV) And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

"Philip" who is symbolic of the Spirit of Truth is told to "join" himself to the chariot. Philip means "fond of horses".....so we see the horse joining up with the chariot. The Spirit of Truth shows us the spiritual wisdom of the Scriptures....which is the chariot. To understand the bible, we need the Spirit of Truth within us.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

In Song of Songs, Wisdom is compared to a "company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots." Pharoah's chariots would be the darkness of the literal that rules over us. But the Spirit of Truth shows us Wisdom.... who is like a "mare harnessed to Pharoah's chariot"....as stated in other translations of the bible. Philip joins to the chariot...The Spirit of Truth guides us to wisdom.... Wisdom shows us the spiritual meanings of the "dark sayings" of the bible.

(Song 1:9 KJV) I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

The literal leaves us confused to the meaning of the Scriptures....without the Spirit of Truth to guide us. We can not understand it with our own understanding...as the man of Ethiopian did not:

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

"Isaiah" means "Jah has saved".....which happens to be the meaning of "Jesus" as well. Jesus saves....our Lord delivers us from our enemies and sin. But he has kept quiet as the enemies have taken the literalness of the Scriptures and done violence with it....they have oppressed people...they have enslaved people....they have not been merciful to those under their rule. But God will redeem us from them.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

When we look at the verse in Isaiah, we see the word "sheep" as in "a sheep before her shearers is dumb." The word "sheep" is "rachel".....as in Rachel being symbolic for wisdom....she is dumb...silent before her shearers:

(Isa 53:7 KJV) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

His life is taken from the earth......."the earth" is the Scriptures....the life has been taken from it by those who misuse the literal....there is no life in their teachings and ruler ship over the flock of God. Only the Lord's opening of the Scriptures to our understanding leads us to the water of life.

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Our Lord has been silent on the interpretation of the Scriptures....but by His Spirit of Truth He opens his mouth at the appointed time......"Philip" opened his mouth to preach Jesus....Jehovah saves:

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

The Spirit of Truth leads us to the water of life...just as Philip and the man of Ethiopia "came unto a certain water".....the water of life:

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

There is great rejoicing in the knowledge of God....His Truth.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.