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Four gospels in the entire narrative prove that we are complete in Christ but what does it pitch beyond the earth to kingdom come? The woman who anointed Jesuswith the precious spikenard was 'everyman' who encapsulated the Covenant in seven days. This nameless woman proved for all time the mystery of the will of God the Father, the fellowship of God with Man.
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ"(v.12) Here in vv.13-14 what salvation would mean: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,/Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. "Dispensationalist may want to be like the proverbial dog turning to his vomit, but the Holy Spirit is clear. Our inheritance is iin the light for which we have been sealed.
Jesus warned,"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."(Mt.6.21) God fashioned all hearts alike but trieth their works. In terms of your treasure is a manifestation if it is full of light or twilight. "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light./But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
Entering into the God's rest is no sweat."But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (Jn.3.21) Without abiding in Christ what possible work of enduring quality can you do? "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."(Mt.6.21-24)
God sent his perfect gift who having conquered death is the captain of our salvation." crown of life"
Intro. There has been a lot of upheavals lately as some well known pastors have fallen into sin; or their doctrines errant; and even more prevalent is the gray zone of associations with individuals who clearly speak false doctrines or are clearly with intent for greedy gain.
A church; as we see from Biblical example had a structure where elders and Deacons in particular would work within a local congregation in order to oversee; delegate responsibility and help with shepherding of the flock. Today it appears that the pastor; reverend or whatever the title is is the only one really recognized; with the possible exception of the funeral of a well known minister when eulogies are read; for example.
When we compare this heirarchy with the world system; we should in theory see vast differences; but sadly in many mainline denominations today it is hard to tell the uniqueness from the world. Expectations of hobnobbing with the rich and famous have more often than not caused friendship with the world beyond that which Christ espoused; which in short is any associations that are not for the main purpose of proclaiming scriptural truth and not fellowshipping with anyone calling themselves Christian who don't adhere to lifestyles that are Godly. Then there are known networks of those in guilds; societies and other associations that are tied into the economic world system; tax free perks that force compromise in what is preached and those within attending conferences which have caused well known and established congregations of formerly solid doctrinal adherents to slowly allow spurious doctrines to come into the church.
The political establishment which is often literally tied in with this political correctness is embraced as though they are all friends of the truth rather than being told the truth; as what happened with Andrew Jackson apparently.
Who will count the cost today?
RP
For was not Paul praying for us Christian's who know the Lord and are BORN again that " the eyes of our understanding might be opened that we might see and comprehend what is the exceeding great and mighty power that is towards us who believe . Even the same mighty power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead".
Make no mistake if you are truly BORN again you have already tasted of that resurrection life for " we who were dead in trespasses and in sin have been quickened together with Him when Jesus was raised from the dead .
But Paul was praying for us who are now chiodren of light that we ,yiu,me might have the eyes of our understanding enlightened " Now Paul in another letter wrote of desiring to be "made conformable to His death" and in another place that he might know the power of His resurrection".
Now if Paul was so desirous and felt the need of both how much more should we be?
I wouod suggest both because how can you know the piwer of a resurrection unless you are dead?
You don't hear many preach about being made conformable to His death . Yet the cross is the power of God unto Salvation .
Have we not reduced this so great a Salvation to being but BORN again? Wonderful though that is .That is but getting out of Egypt and the dominion of Pharaoh.
Not only are we saved from but also saved to or for .
The wilderness was intended to be boot camp not the Christian norm .
Do we not stand in grace but also have access to more grace?
Having eyes but see not refers to seeing but not understanding what we are seeing . Hearing but not understanding what we are hearing and we need to pray that zGod Almighty might open our eyes and give us understanding of the provision of God that is in. Christ . It is like dis over ing America landing on the beautiful beach. The weather is wonderful , the sea full of fish and the tree line full of food and we have said this is perfect ,wonderful and have pitched our tents .
When Lazerus was Ill and dying and Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus to come quickly the scriptures specifically says Jesus loved both Mary and Martha yet " when he heard that he was sick abode two days where he was .
When Jesus arrived Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and "now stinketh" For corruption enters the body after 3 days.
When Martha heard the Lord was near she went out to meet him . Mary was still in the house . You might argue that while Martha rushed out to meet Jesus Mary sat still in the house .
Be that as it may Martha's faith was in the past ." Lord if thou hast been here Lazarus would not have died".
Mary's faith was in the future . " I know that thou will raise him up at the resurrection (?)"
Faith does not work in the past nor does it work in the future but always works in the NOW.
Jesus replied " I am the resurrection and the Life".
Gidion had heard of God and of His great works in times gone by and believed . But was meditating where was God now? In the prevailing circumstances of Isreals distress .While his thoughts drew him near to God ,God drew near to him. And once the lines of communication had been established things began to change for the better and Isreal got a revival .
Job had heard of God .So too Moses both believed but " Jesus had not yet come" so to speak .
When the disciples were struggling in the boat bailing out the water it is written " Jesus had not yet come" . He was up in the mountain and could see them plainly . What is our expectation? I'm not talking about the rapture that is in some future though not too distant. Have we but heard of Him but our eyes have never seen Him?
Glory of God is in expression. Let there be light, is a commandment. " And God said, Let there be light: and there was light./ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."(Gen.1.3-4) Four gospels present where the word was God supplies the voice. The Law certifies it as good. The Word which was with makes the distinction. So we have the Father of lights, the voice of the Lord God, The Law of the Spirit judges it as good. God which was with God is the true Light,
These four gospels, to use an analogy from earth science are four cardinal directions. Recalling Ezekiel's vision (Ch.47) The Word becomes flesh, and it has a body. It is in human likeness. It is thus Jesus of Nazareth was made of a woman but he knew no sin and did no sin. John the Baptist, confessed, 'for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.' (Mt.3.9) The Law provides the liberty of the Spirit. In the divine will of the Father we have the emblem of the Lamb, which is also the Word which was with God. The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world by the same token as real as the Word which was with God. It has a body is it not? These hold the four cardinal directions in the vision of Ezekiel.
"glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." This explains body is not simply formed of dust of the ground but God has a body prepared for the Som. Now what does enter into the God's rest mean. Enter into this glorious spiritual body. When he shhall appear in glory we shall also appear with him in glory.(Col.3.4). Ezekiel stopped short with one full turn but the Spirit for our instruction lets him see from far what we have in Rev.22.1-2
Heavens declare the glory which is where our treasure should be,. The throne of God and of the Lamb explains the spiritual body we shall put. The earth is reserved for fire.
The truth is safe enough even for little children who are squealing with delight in the shallows .
When young men go in deeper and to the loins and waist if their honest they will find not a little fear for they soon become aware of the seas immense power and could destroy them but to their delight and joy find not only does it bare them up but they can swim with their feet off the ground.
And while a few might be able to swim the English Chanel ,no one is going to be able to swim the Atlantic Ocean let alone the Pacific . So what do the scriptures say? " I could go no further " and the writer was led to a river on who's banks Rees were planted .
While we have that perfect liberty of children of God to enter His presence that does not mean without care or thought .
But we have all been guilty of rushing into prayer and " making our requests known" but with little or no thought as to who it is we are coming to .
But when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he did not give them a formula but a pattern and before anything else it was the recognition and acknowledgement of Him who we are addressing .
He did not say 'my father' but OUR Father "
Not His Father but also ours . That OUR has also the embracing of the ONE body .For what is a brother or sister if not someone of the same household and of the same father . Then what is our " neighbour"? If not someone ,anyone of another household and of a different father .The church is not a ' community' it's a House a temple a body filly joined together into a Holy habitation of God .a local church is an embassy of the Kingdom of God and every true born child of God an ambassador for Christ .
Who seeks first before and above all the interests of the Kingdom of God and of Him who has sent us into this world but not of it even as He was sent by the Father and " was not of this world" .
Our Father ,now there is a thought inexhaustible in its ramifications .
Who art in heaven .
We need to stop and think . The approach to the Holy of Holies while straightforward still needed the right aproach .
We are on earth and Our Father is in heaven .
In the outer court we have the light of the sun and we see things by sight .
The Holy place has no ' natural' light . But that if the 7 branch oil lamp representing the Holy Spirit and the bread speaking of the Word of God .
In the outer court we walked by sight . In the Holy place we walk by faith and in constant prayer . Here we learn not to lean upon our own understanding.
" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Jesus knew where he came from and where he was going so we have the woman who 'hath done a good work' and it was a memeorial for her. " For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."(Mt.26.12.13). Jesus was in human likeness and in his interaction with the world, very few had an inkiing as to what it signified, His burial and resurrection made the entire gospel narrative come a full circle. The Spirit sets prophet Ezekiel to enact it.
Each gospel holds a direction. "the house stood toward the east" second we have ' at the south side of the altar. third gospel, 'out of the way of the gate northward' leading back to the fourth. 'I am the life and resurrection' is no longer refers to the Son of man but the Word which was with. (Ezek.47.1-2)
' And, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward.' refers to the waters between heaven and the earth. It is the river from Eden flowing towards the east. (Gen.2.10). Ezekiel makes a complete turn and the river has become pure water of life. " And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river./Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other" 47.6-7) Of course the man that had the line in his hand measurement was 10x1000 which is under the law of sin and death. Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law has the single measurement which is in multiples of 12.
Jesus came into his own but was rejected. In his Advent Herod was guilty of the slaughter of innocents.Mt.2.17-18. Genocide in Gaza holds the other end.
There are many gospels extant but the spirit of truth chose only four as canonical. As the four horns of the golden altar the Word or the Law is same, east west north or south. The gospels are organised about Jesus Christ as the fulfilment of Law so the word of God establishes the truth. "I am the truth",
The Word was God sent his only Son 'in our image' so the Word establishes "I am the way' as true. The Lamb slain is an emblem of the divine Will. He is 'after our likeness' which gives the fulness of his godhead in his Son. " 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." Lowliness of a lamb given his accessories in terms of sevens when translated in terms of the spirit is 'after our likeness." It is synonymous for the poor in spirit. "I am life" Spirit of truth ( Jn 16.13)
Jesus Christ represents the Word was with God. So the law of the Spirit presents Jesus of Nazareth from four POV, the same narrative mode as in the book of the Revelation. How does seven Spirits of God begin unless they are sent forth? 'The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters' set apart sanctified ones before the worlds began. when Jesus said, 'Before Abraham was, I am." (Jn.8.58-59,45) The Jews would have stoned him because there was no place for the word in their hearts. Jesus tells the truth,"And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not." Yet we have imposters, false teachers trying make the truth a lie. Why one earth the true Light would compromise it for sons of perdition? "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved./But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."( Jn 3.20-2)
All gospels agree in this: His death and resurrection. "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone."(8.29)
" For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
This law gives us a context for the Advent of Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth under the care of his parents moved,from place to place,'To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.' Lk.2.5,24) Similarly observed the requirements of the law,' And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.' We see however a cut off period from parental custody which occurred at th age of 12. "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?/And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them." What was this' my Father's business'? He was a son in humn likeness but also was the 'only begotten Son.' So he was a sign which we have in Gen.1.17-18."two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night" This is what set Jesus to begin his ministry." The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up./From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(Mt.4.16-17) His father's business was to deliver the people from darkness. Darkness speaks of devil who sins from the beginning. Jesus was therefore manifested to destroy the works of the devil. ( 1 Jn 3.8) Law of Moses and how it served the people was condemnatory of the law. Jesus announced," I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." He represented the Law of the Spirit. He was a sign and not to be brushed as one of the Jews. He represented grace and truth. In flesh he belonged to the nation of Israel. In their hatred they showed who their father was." He came unto his own, and his own received him not./But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"( Jn 1.11-13)
"As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.'
Here the Spirit explains what it is be pure in spirit. The centurion believed,- and it was as with Abraham who believed, and was counted to him for righteousness. Before the patriarch could believe the Word was God. He was with God. So the Covenant in seven days had set provisions as to the time element. The Spirit annotates this verse, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions," by giving the Advent of the Word become flesh was 'in the fulness of time.'(Ps.107.20; Gal.4.4) The Spirit consequently presents Jesus of Nazareth simply as a man but in context of the Word and as anointed as fulfilment of the law.
How did the Gentile centurion could elicit such amazement? He was pure in spirit and saw faith as was in his Father's bosom.By the same token when Herod wanted to meet him only to invite Jesus say,"And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."( Lk. 13.32) He would not have cared for the scramble among the white evangelicals for a photoshoot with their POTUS. His spirit was pure and he knew what was in the mind of man. Is it an honour to be invited to look into the cesspool of a man though sealed in high places?
The Spirit presents Jesus Christ in terms of the hour so the servant is healed in the selfsame hour. In terms of the word sent forth the Spirit gives him another time frame. "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Lk.4.19)
Compare with another time sequence God has laid down for Jesus Christ. "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men."(Rev.9.15) Third part of men belongs to thoe sons of perdition who refuses to enter into the God's rest.
"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off."
God is a spirit. So anyone applying to God as poor or rich in terms of matter is applying false logic."Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(Mt.5.3)
Spirit is wisdom, and wisdom from heaven is pure. Like diamond of the first water it effaces itself in water. What Jesus meant was the spirit without guile. Transparency is another. He sends the other seventy disciples and in thier joy he could exult and that is joy given wings for sure."And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."(Lk.10.17,21) Purity of the spirit is able to get into the heart of the matter. Joy of the disciples was in the name that cast out the demons from persons afflicted. Jesus rejoiced and he announces,"But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."
Notice that the Spirit uses the phrase, 'In that hour'? The seventy disciples represent all those whose names are written in heaven. Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. "
In that hour refers to the day of salvation as he uses in another context the hour to condemn his enemies. " but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."Lk.22.53)
While studying the gospels we need keep in mind that the Spirit is not giving the life of Jesus in a conventional narrative mode but as the word become flesh. In Mt1.17 we have the three sets of 14 generations which is 42 the same tag applied to the beast.'And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months'.(Rev.13.5) Day of salvation has its hour as darkness has his. In the same manner genealogy of Christ has its opposite number. They include 42 children of Belial, 2 Ki.2.22)
" If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
We shall now focus on the four gospels and the manner Jesus of Nazareth made the doctrine of God in terms of the doctrine of the Son of man. Jesus made it doable. This is the perfect gift heaven could bestow on the earth. The place name refers to the Word become flesh and he presented himseif by his offering on the cross. " For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."(Heb.10,14)
Firstly blessings come from the greater to the lesser. Ultimate gift can consequently is what God the Father can give. secondly what is a gift if the reciever has no appreciation for it? Casting pearls with a liberal hand is indeed a waste if the recipient happens to be a swine. God indeed sanctified man in his Son so any man who believes shall know the perfect gift when one receives it.. Jesus Christ who of God has become sanctification for us. And wisdom as well. (1 Cor,1.30) What is this wisdom? "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."(Jas.3.17)
"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."(Jas.1.17) He who sanctified his Son has sanctified whosoever receives him in faith. Imposter churches teach: faith is enough and works are unnecessary.
What is a gift if it is unopened and exchanged for something else? It is how false teachers have shown their mettle.God's gifts they had to none effect.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus demonstrated how," In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,(Lk.10.21).
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness "unto the judgment of the great day."
This is what the Holy Spirit instructs us in the night vision of Daniel. "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." From the POV of St John we are looking at the same book bound with seven seals. Here the Ancient of days embody the Law. The night serves as an adjective to the vision and we are looking at predestination at work. Two generations of light and darkness mentioned in Gen.1. 2.4 and under the cover of darkness the deep is a distinct place as the outer darkness from the POV of John is. These rogue angels are reserved but judgment is not yet executed.
" and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." (Rev.123). This red dragon refers to the crooked serpent," By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent./ Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" Job 26.13-14)The covering cherub was perfect in beauty but iniquity found in him marred everything. The power seat and authority of the beast comes from him. "and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns." Law of the Spirit sets the number of condemnation 10 so ten kings vying for one hour with the beast is hellbent for their perdition.
12.9 False teachers are compared to stars,'wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." There was war in heaven when the devil is cast out his angels also are cast out and their work we seen even in our midst.Jude.v.10 "But these speak evil of those things which they know not:" Rapture, limited Atonement, Replacement theology!
While being of the utmost importance in this age of the church it is perhaps the most neglected .
In part because of the misconceptions and quite a lot of lazy thinking and teaching about the subject .
The premise that all born again chiodren of God are automatically in the bride being one of them . Based upon that ONE verse " the church which is His bride".
But the saying one swallow does not make a summer can equally apply to one verse does not make or prove a doctrine .
But rather we must look at " all scripture.".
To becBORN again qualifies us to " run the race" much like in the Olympics. It does not win us " the prize".
Every true born child of God is called to that " high calling" but it is our response and commitment to it for it is not exposure to truth that changes a person but our response to it .
Judas Iscariot never changed but out of the other 11 disciples only Peter James and John walked so closely with the Lord they saw and heard and did tnings the others did not . Yet the opportunity for all was the same .
They were all in the body and walked with the Lord but for whatever reason did not follow as closely as the three .
All were called 'few' were chosen .
It is a high calling . John the Baptist only considered himself " a friend of the groom" .
And at a marriage you have the bride and groom then friends etc who attend but still are not the bride .
The five foolish virgins were barred from thec" marriage" because of thrur false expectations and were found in consequence not " ready" . Did not the Lord tell His disciples " be ye also ready ."?
The five foolish we're not found ready and we're barred from the marriage " I know you not" unrecognisable as the bride. The wicked are barred from the KINGDOM with the words " I NEVER knew you".
Let us not be found not ready. all 10 virgins were asleep when the cry came " the bridegroom comes!"
But there were 5 who despite being found asleep we're still ready.
Note it was not Heaven that was in darkness but the earth . Gen 1:2
For that heaven needed no sun or moon for God was the light thereof .
It was the earth that was in darkness and needed heavens light .
And it was not God that was in darkness but man fir " God is light and in Him there is no shadow of turning "
Genesis 1:2 is the recreation of the earth . Genesis 1:1 was the primary creation of both .
The Spiritual and earthly . For all things were made by Him both visible and invisible .
The earth is the Lords .
And God is the "God of all flesh".
He did not need permission to bring about change and always brings light before He starts to work .
The Lord when He walked this earth did not seek permission either to go and do good .
And when challenged referred back to His Father and to what was written .
Man was created in the image if God but he is BORN in the image of Adam .
Thus " shapen in iniquity".
We are by the fall and because of Sin more children of darkness than we are of light . Though Man was created for the Light . Fir shine a light into a man's eyes conscious or not and his eyes will respond to it . Put a man in a place with no light for long enough and he will suffer . We were created for the light .
Did not God command the light to shine in the darkness ? Even of our own hearts ? Fir by nature we are " children of disobedience " children of wrath" which is why we MUST be BORN again not of that corruptible seed but if the incorruptible seed which is the Word of God":
The entrance of Thy Word bringeth light".
Then God begins to Work .
" But this is the condemnation said Jesus ."The light has come but men love darkness more than the light ".
To love your sin more than righteousness is ruin . All have sinned that is not so much the problem but rather it is the will.
God is not willing that any should perish." But that is His will.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."
Here we notice a change of scene so we may infer from it that the ch.12 is inserted as the Spirit taking stock of the the word of God, the everlasting gospel as preached from the POV of the Word become flesh. Breaking open of seals, the Lamb prevailed over to this honour. In Ch.10 we have the the Angel of the Lord with the little book open reminding,"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."(10.7)Thereafter we shall have the Law taking the plug off so the Vanity Fair, preparing for 'the battle of that great day of God Almighty.'(16.14) Chapters 12 and 20 are thus interludes created to give us a breathing space before God leads the saints to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 'Blessed are they which are called' and who entered into the God's rest in faith." And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."(19.9)
Significance of the Angel of the Lord standing upon the sea and the earth' is to indicate the separation shall be accordance with the Day Three in the Covenant. (Gen.1.9-10; Rev.21.1) In the new heaven and new earth, 'And there was no more sea'. Darkness has made the sea impossible so the beast 'and saw a beast rise up out of the sea," Is going to his doom. The sea which spawned is called the generation of vipers, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt./There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."(Isa.57.20-21) Who took away the peace? In order to quell their wickedness power was given to the rider on the red horse, "and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. "it is a 'great' sword.
God separated the sea from the dry land; just as darkness covered all the way to the deep. The use of 'great' in the waters tell us how we are to interpret the key verse, "Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters." The deep is designated as lower parts to which we may assign the bottomless pit. No man may track the footsteps of God. "nd thy footsteps are not known."
The Holy Spirit however gives a clue, "And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit./And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit."(Rev.9.1-2)
What does fifth angel signify? Remember the Parable of the Five wise virgins? They were wise to be watchful of the coming of the bridegroom. A remnant of Israel need to be delevered from destruction. God has also set a king, " And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." (9.11)
The beast ascends out of the bottomless pit and he is doomed. "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast."(Rev.17.11-17)
He is one of Barabbas who also created his dynastical rule of sorts so when Great Britain in 1917 declared Balfour declaration the powers and shakers of the dau wanted to resettle the Jews in Uganda. The then PM could not care less of the Jewish question but through the back door the nations got in. Like the original Barabbas there were number of terror organisations. creating their pathway to statehood clear. The spirit that helped I leave you to guess for yourself. It is history.
"Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known./ Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." This psalm touches on a specific event and God revealed 'thy way' as He led the Israelites through the Red sea. And past danger and when settled in their land they showed what was in their secret place. They rejected God and wanted a king, and the Spirit has set this for our instruction, " Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;/That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."(1 Sam,8,19-20)
What is the secret place of a child of God? "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."(Ps.91.1). What was in the secret place of the nation who wanted to be like other nations? Darkness.
The Spirit presents us two generations in Gen.1.2-4 One represents the generation of Jesus Christ, In the other, 'darkness was upon the face of the deep.' He is the covering Cherub who worked through king of Tyrus. " in the day that thou wast created./ Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire./Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."(Ezek.28.13-15) Generations of kings have had sway over the children of wrath, and and what we see about us tell the truth," I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." ( Jn 15.5) The nation of Israel refused Jesus and chose Barabbas. Has Barabbas made the world any better. Seven heads of the red dragon cover from rule of kings, democracy and theocracy and it is still hell!
God decrees "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."(Ps.2.7) The worlds framed by the word of God are the result. (Heb.11.3)
5.1 'And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne.' He gives the book bound with seven seals refer to the Law of the Spirit set to work. The right hand refers to the Word which was with God.
5.2 "And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice," The same angel we see in Ch.10 "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire./And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth." (Rev.10-1-2) Once again a little book' which is now open and pendent to the event of breaking open the book with seven seals. God divided the dry land from seas.(Gen.1.10) These angels of the Lord wherever mentioned in the narrative are interchangeable. The angels are accordingly unnamed, "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" Samson's parent would not know.( Judges 13.18)
These angels named and unnamed alike are sent to the earth, for which the Law places the clue."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"(Rev.5.6) The seven horns establish the sovereignty of the word of God." So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Isa,55.11) In short events taking place are from three POV where the seven horns sees to the success. As the word sent forth we have a corresponding action, " And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."(Rev.6.2)
This no doubt will be a lengthy series of postings but it is essential. The first thing we need to determine is what exactly is salvation? We can start with John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Now this seems to be perfectly clear and I don't wish to complicate the basic principle here. Let us dissect this verse to look at all the components.
God so loved the world. Now God is perfectly righteous and just and man is completely without hope and all have gone astray according to numerous passages; there is none righteous no not even one ( Romans 3:10 but with many other passages in Psalms in particular in the O.T. supporting this-see Psalm 19). God created man therefore had compassion and a vested interest over every soul. For God to atone for men's sins the Son of God had to enter the picture to come to earth as a man as part of God's eternal counsel and foreknowledge to remedy this situation and put us into right standing anew after the fall of Adam and his race. God couldn't look on sin so He turned away for the moment Christ had to take on all of our sin and be the sacrificial atonement. Jesus only did and said the words of the Father and those who the Father chose or elected. This principal is covered in the book of John in which I did a lengthy study of this concept of Predestination a couple years back.
Sent His only begotten Son. That is covered in the above commentary so I will move on.
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
This involves more than just believing He was a good man. Mark 10:18 dispells any sentimenality we may have of Christ being a good man because it so understates His deity that it renders it more harmful than good. Believing in Him means believing the atonement was fully satisfying God's requirements to save man forever.
Isaiah 1:5 says
"Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."
This and much of the rest of this chapter discusses the state of Israel and the inevitable judgments to come; not only for them but all the nations of the world. This "domino" effect certainly is soon to come as first in the present time the church is being judged first ( 1 Peter 4:17); then the Jews as Romans 2:9 indicates Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;. This theme; of course is repeated in Revelation and other O.T. prophecies regarding the Apocalypse.
James 4:4 and many other passages indicate our enmity with God or the word enemies which is basically the same concept. This of course is the reason the world is hostile and dangerous; and by and large God's children are eventually directly targeted.
This answers the ultimate issue or causation of today's worldwide geopolitical situation which seems a hair's breath from Armageddon.
Now of course the enemy of our souls is the ultimate chess strategist and has set up kings along with corresponding powers and principalities ( Ephesians 6) to be in position for his endgame plan which God will allow so it is going to happen. God ultimately; of course will draw all nations to the valley of Meddigo to ostensively fight one another but then turn to fight Christ. This is the truth and we have to accept it. It is also the case that every day souls are perishing; some to heaven others not.
This isn't a path we can navigate apart from the Spirit of God. I realize these are general concepts here and perhaps not necessary for many. I would make another general statement here that it is clear from scripture that some are saved and others not but losing one's salvation isn't possible. The caveat here is that we know ( Romans 8:16) if we are saved.
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."
The Law of the Spirit is associated with seven, a whole number. In the inaugural vision we saw the risen Christ holding seven stars in his right hand. What does the seal signify? Authority of the Lord God. Here we shall strictly limit our attention to the book written within one the backside. Mal.3.16 refers to the book of remembrance, where those upon the Spirit can effectively work with are entered. 'Written within' these names are predestined and foreknown. The vv.2-4 refers to them. They are either light or darkness. Whereas 'backside' has a specific meaning in the lexicon of the Spirit. God would not let Moses see his glory but only in terms of symbol associated with his Son."while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:/And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."(Exod.33.21-23) In the same sense,"And he(Moses) led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb."(3.1) Moses may see his glory in context of the cleft in the rock. His face signifies' the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person'.
Thus what 'within the book' referred was Jesus Christ and his saints in light.(Col.1.12)
By the same token what was written on the backside carried both groups where one third of believers called to be saints may be dropped. Hence the risen Christ warns the seven churches. "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."(1 Tim.5.24)
"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;"(Rev.3.7;Isa.22.22)
Before going into the topic we need fix the significance of the seas.
Gen.1.10 "And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."
Separation of seas from the dry land holds significance and it throws light on the passage of living waters, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water./(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive.)"( Jn 7.37-39) He addresses to 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Notice ths is an open invitation, and the word of God associated this to the word become flesh and this was pronounced by Jesus on the feast day. As with this feat the Law of the Spirit gives it a context in the determined will of the Father. The river of Euphrates has its double in the 'great river, the river Euphrates. So let us fix what great day God has marked in His calendar. The great day is to gather the kings" and of the whole world unto the battle of that great day of God Almighty. "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world" So there is 'another spirit working and as a result these kings do not belong to the kingdom of his Son who has promised all who have drunk of the living waters as the priests and kings. (Rev.16.14;1,6)
In the vision of Ezekiel also we find this river flowing from the house."Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over./And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. (Ezek.47.5-6, 11). and "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt." Compare the river flowing from Eden holds the key.
The world economy is in place, you know. We have different currencies in representative different countries. But now there is a kind of money that goes from the internet. That "currency" covers the whole world! Bitcoin there are so many different ones of this now. Many in connection with tax evasion and illegality. None of them entice me, I hope none of them entice you either. When it came I bought it for 1000 nok. but everything is long gone since I did not follow up with the code that will be endlessly long and further. So there you see, wasted for me, someone else took the access. Just cheating and deceit all together. And isn't that how we bite into anything new? Then we usually learn a lesson.
But I want to share something here at the same time today, as long as it's day.
Acts 17:22-34 Paul probably didn't think about what he did. But he just did it. Because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. So he went out into the middle of the city.
And here you will see you who have locked yourself in a matter you want to prosper in. Look around, look at the opportunities, what are your eyes fixed on. If you can see another possibility, be creative.
Paul sees in v. 23 that the people worshiped an unknown god. This is where the Holy Spirit came in and gave Paul what he needed to preach the gospel. At the end of the section you see that some came to believe. And others did not, they would wait. That's how it is dear with all of us. We go out in faith, and then not much happens. As we can see for ourselves. But when we see the opportunity that lies before us, we do what is right anyway. Because the Holy Spirit is with us, remember Jesus sayes: Mat 28:20 Be strong and willing and stand up for the Lord. He does not fail, neither should we. Love u all in Christ.
Phoenicians (Tyre, Sidon, Carthage) = first great maritime trading empire, controlling colonies across the Mediterranean.
Rome absorbed that legacy after Carthage fell.
Later, Venice, Genoa carried it for a while.
Thus Harlot = the modern Tyre + Rome's imperial heir.
Revelation 17:18: "The woman is that great city which reigns over the kings of the
The Seventh Kingdom (USA)
Revelation 17:10: "Five are fallen, one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."
Five fallen = Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece.
One is = Rome (St John's time).
Seventh = USA-led order (short-lived compared to Rome's centuries).
Why USA?
Global dominance after WWII (military, economy, culture).
Short space compared to ancient empires (Rome = 500+ years, USA hegemony =
" And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered."
The upper limit of God's exceeding reward was the great river Euphrates to whch are four angels bound, " Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates./And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men."(Rev.9.14-15). God counts from his throne to his footstool. (Isa.66.1) The earth and lower parts included form the other boundary. So God tells him, "Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee."(v.17) Unless the word is ready by the light what are you? "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."( Jn 3.27)
God separated light from darkness and by the same token God calls Abram out,"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:/And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:"(12.1-3). Abram refused to accept even a shoe latchet from the king of Sodom and it obeyed the word which is eternal. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you./And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."(2 Cor.6.17-18)
Abraham is therefore set as blessed which cannot be said for all 'thy seed'. Why did an horror of 'great' darkness fell over Abram? The curse . Whence did this two- state problem arise for the Jews. Land is like a bride, is it not? "Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein." Then as now.(Deut.28.30)
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him."
Here we have God appearing to Abram in a vision. What is he to him. He announces, " Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."(v.1) The Holy Spirit sets the adjective 'great' in the same sense in all other instances.Bothing blessing and curse are determined from heaven. So we have blessing promised in v.1. It follows in strict accordance with the Covenant in seven days. God is yet to rename him but God's Covenant is inviolable. Blessing to man 'in our image and after our likeness' is under offer. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."(2 Cor.1.20). It is thus Abram has been taken under his shield. God shall indeed prove to be his exceeding 'great reward' if he has faith. Abram believed and it was counted to him for righteousness.
God shows him the extent of his inheritance,"Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." Here we have the generation of Jesus Christ." There is a lower limit to which we have reference,"herefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."(Heb.11.12)
To illustrate it we have boundaries mentioned. 'From the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:' It is bounded by waters. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Notice the river, the 'great river Euphrates? Now we shall explain why 'an horror of great darkness fell upon him." Gen.1.2."and darkness was upon the face of the deep." which is uttermost end of it from which the beast shall arise, and the sea of sand gives its context.(Rev.13.1;11.7) "And I stood upon the sand of the sea," cf. 'sand which is by the sea shore innumerable'