Random thoughts to consider....

[Wheeler]

Hi Chickapee,

the “clouds” message is one of the very first things that God enlightened my eyes to. I grew up going to “church” and believing everything was completely literal....because that was what I was taught by flesh and blood. I believed that Jesus was actually coming on a literal cloud in the sky. The “clouds” was the first thing that brought a big “AHA” in my mind. There are still many, many who just can’t see it....yet! But every “eye” shall see him coming on the “clouds.” I trust God will open their minds to this also as He revealed it to us. I thank Him that there are others out there who see this.


I saw a bumper sticker today that pretty much sums up what I’ve been rather badly trying to say. It read something like this: “Those who can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” The “absurdities” are the doctrines of error that rely on literalizing what is read in the Bible. The “atrocities” would be the deeds of those who rely upon such teachings......the divisions, the warring over who is the right church, the strife, the envy, the coveting after worldly things: bigger church buildings, bigger ministries, selling religious goods and services, etc.

The Scriptures have been put through the “fire” so to speak .....a “furnace.” The words of the Lord are pure words that have been “tried in a furnace of earth”......purified seven times.

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

This “furnace of earth” is symbolic of the words of error of the high and mighty religious men (the earthly-minded men) in the churches. They are the ungodly among men who destroy the faith of men by their teachings ....the wresting of the Scriptures. But the Scriptures are unhurt by their wicked tongues....they are unhurt by the “fire of the furnace.” The Scriptures are helped by the Lord.

(Psa 12:1 KJV) To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

The wicked preach falsehoods.....with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Their tongues are the fire of the furnace of earth.

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

The words of the Lord are pure words.....tried in a “furnace of earth purified seven times:

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

The “fining pot” is for silver and “furnace” for gold. The false lips and covetous tongue is the furnace of earth....but the Word of God is not harmed by their words.

(Prov 17:3 KJV) The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Their erroneous, biblical teachings are the “fiery darts of the wicked.”

(Eph 6:16 KJV) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

In the lips of an ungodly man (the erroneous Bible teachers,) there is a burning fire.

(Prov 16:27 KJV) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Man’s literalized, covetous teachings of the Bible ( the digging up of evil) sows strife and division among the people of God. We live in “denominations.”

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Again, a tongue is a “fire”.....a world of iniquity.....a world of missing the mark of the Truth. The error-filled, preaching tongue is a fiery“furnace of earth” and it defiles the whole body ( the church) and sets on fire the course of nature. It introduces envy and strife among the people of God.

(James 3:6 KJV) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

The Scriptures have been delivered to the “burning, fiery furnace” of man’s evil heart and erroneous tongue.....as portrayed by the living parable of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel.

“Shadrach” means “command of Aku ( moon god), circuit of the sun”......a veiled reference to the Writings of Moses, Meshach means “who is what Aku is, who is like the moon god”.....and is a veiled reference to the Writings of the Prophets , and Abednego means “servant of Nebo, servant of light”.....a veiled reference to the New Testament. All of the Scriptures have been delivered to that “fiery furnace.”

(Dan 3:16 KJV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The furnace was heated up “seven times” more than normal:

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

There are “seven abominations” in the wicked hearts of those who preach deceitfully. The tongue is a “fire” that heats up the “furnace of earth” seven times.....seven abominations of the wicked heart proceed out of the mouths of men.

(Prov 26:23 KJV) Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Those things which proceed out of the mouth (the “fire”) come from the heart (where there are seven abominations)......and out of the heart come evil things.

(Mat 15:18 KJV) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Man misuses the Bible for these evil thoughts and deeds.....the Scriptures have been cast into the “burning fiery furnace” of man’s evil heart and tongue as symbolically shown by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The “most mighty men” are the “false prophets”....pastors, reverends, priests, etc who preach out of the covetousness in their hearts.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

The men were bound in their clothing and cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. The Scriptures and their outer, earthly stories (not being spiritually understood) are used by men’s wicked hearts to preach “absurdities” in order to deceive the poor in spirit....leading them down a destruction path (atrocities.) They preach with covetousness/evil in their hearts....and they use the external, literal covering (“clothing”) of the Bible to “prove” their words to those who know no better.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

The “flame of the fire” slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:

22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Likewise, those who speak in error with the evil intent of the heart will wrest the Scriptures unto their own destruction:

(2 Pet 3:16 KJV) 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.

The three men fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace:

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

The Scriptures shall rise again from its bound, fallen status in the hands of evil men. Even though the just fall “seven times,” they shall rise again. The Lord will come to raise them up in the heavenly places of Jesus Christ...the spiritual Truth will strengthen their words.

(Prov 24:16 KJV) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

The “fiery furnace” of earthly men does not hurt the Scriptures.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

For Christ Jesus....the Son of God....delivers them. They are to be loosened and walking in the righteousness and power of God in all spiritual understanding:

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

On the mountain at the Transfiguration were 4: Moses....representing the writings of Moses, Elijah....representing the writings of the Prophets.....the disciples John, Peter, and James....representing the New Testament and Jesus who is the Truth of the Scriptures that unites all their words into One. He will deliver them by the revealing of the spiritual Truth. The “cloud of witnesses” are the servants of the most high God.

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

No power of darkness will have harmed them. Man’s deceitful preaching of them will not have hurt them.

27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

They had “yielded their bodies”......those who had faith in the promises of God that their message would eventually be spoken in the Truth....in the Lord Jesus Christ. They yielded their earthly message to ungodly men who would wrest their words in the faith that the Lord will come to rescue their witness from the mouths of the wicked. They accepted not deliverance in order for a “better resurrection.”

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

They “yielded their bodies”.....they accepted not deliverance in order that their witness will become even more powerful in the interpretation of Christ Jesus.

(Heb 11:39 KJV) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

And as the king says.....that every people, nation and language which shall speak any thing “amiss” against God shall by “cut in pieces:”

29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

The powerful, (delivered and unharmed) Word of God is quick and powerful.....sharper than any two-edged sword..... a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Heb 4:12 KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Gold...tried in the fire.

(Rev 3:18 KJV) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.



FOUR.....delivered.....unhurt.

 

[Chickapee]

Hi Wheeler ,
I was thinking about the'' great cloud of witnesses' and how they all died in faith without recieving the promises and how they waited on the Lord
and How the Cross of Jesus Christ was the open show of the revealed truth of things not seen and now we can see they went in to the Holy City
heavenly Jerusalem Zion / Sion

Hbr 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is,

an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:

for he hath prepared for them a city.

And the graves were opened;

and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Mat 27:53And came out of the graves after his resurrection,

and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

this makes good sense to me now ! after discussing the witnesses

and the Power of Jesus Christ Cross ...

just what it means to us that believe and know God though the Holy Spirit teaching us daily

Hbr 12:22But ye are come unto mount Sion,


and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,

and to an innumerable company of angels,


To the general assembly and church of the firstborn,


which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all,


and to the spirits of just men made perfect,


And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,

and to the blood of sprinkling,

that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

they were not made perfect apart from us , so that means we are also being made perfect though Jesus Christ , Jesus said be ye threfore perfect
as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Matt 5

this faith in Jesus Christ and His righteouness is the works
of the Fatehr and His Son done in us

Mat 5:48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Hbr 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
and now we see they are ! heaven is open because of Jesus Christ
and the Mighty work He done at the Cross of calvery

Sion means elevated. noise; tumult Zion

sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built


​

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name?

for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come

and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.


Rev 15:5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:having the seven plagues,

clothed in pure and white linen,


and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God,

who liveth for ever and ever.And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God,


and from his power;

and no man was able to enter into the temple,

till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

blessings in Christ C ..​

 

[Chickapee]

wow

what a surpise to see you have posted already ,

cannot wait to read this !

I would love to share some of them ''literal '' meanings
that apply to spiritual meanings
this would be interesting to share and exchange some thoughts
such as are shared in the scriptures
all flesh is as the grass , so when I look at the grass scriptures I think of ''flesh ''

and the ''fading flower'' as the glory of men , being temporary and of pride

Luk 12:28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field,

and to morrow is cast into the oven;

how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

Jesus would clothe us in Him / Hid in Christ ,covering our sins/ nakedness /shame

could this be the furnace of affliction Jesus was referring too

?Isa 48:10Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver;

I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.


this may be to burn out the pride in man and teach us humility and learn to trust in God and not ourselves


Isa 40:6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry?

All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

and Peter speaks of what is written by the Spirit again with more clarity in the New Testament witness
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1Pe 1:24For all flesh [is] as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

and James with man and his riches that witness against him

Jam 1:11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.


here the rain that drops is the Lords doctrine /teaching
Deu 32:2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,

as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

i thought of King Nebuchadnezzer being humbled and brought low as the dew
come on him Dan 4:15Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth,

even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field;

and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be]

with the beasts in the grass of the earth:

here are several in just this verse

the bands of iron and brass being Judgments as a prision in his flesh / grass
and the Lord sending the dew/ His speech to this king to be humbled and allowed to live

, by sparing the root in the stump the 10th part that is of Abraham in faith

I found the holy seed being the Lords substance in this meaning and Isaiah 6 was what happened to King Neb ,

till he learned by the things he suffered in his flesh , to glorify God and Know that the Lord is in Control and reigns supreme in all ways and in all things


And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven,


and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it;

yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth,

even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field;

and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field,

till seven times pass over him;

Dan 4:26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots;

thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

Isa 6:13 But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return,

and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak,

whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so]

the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.
and the beasts of the field being carnally minded men ,

there is a few more to share hopefully soon God willing ,

I cannot explain well , hope the Lord allows this to come though clearer for us
I do struggle to write plainly :o
peace C ..

 

[Fireinfolding]

Hi Wheeler, I just wanted to say "God bless you" I really get alot out of your posts, God has gifted you brother. Thanks for posting here its a real breath of fresh air

God bless you too Chicapee, I just had to stop in and say Hi to both of you. I dont respond much down here I felt more like I should listen in, glad you both are here.

 

[Wheeler]

Hi Fireinfolding,

Thank you for your words of encouragement and for reading! It means a lot to me. I praise God for any thing you may get from this.....and I would appreciate any input or corrections if you have any......"iron sharpens iron." I find myself "refining" things as I go.

I'm glad to see you here again....noticed you had disappeared for awhile.

God bless you!

 

[Fireinfolding]

Hi Fireinfolding,

Thank you for your words of encouragement and for reading! It means a lot to me. I praise God for any thing you may get from this.....and I would appreciate any input or corrections if you have any......"iron sharpens iron." I find myself "refining" things as I go.

I'm glad to see you here again....noticed you had disappeared for awhile.

God bless you!

Yes Wheeler I had remembered contacting you years back to invite you to my forum because I had dragged a couple of your studies to my forum (hope you dont mind) I was a revelatory mess! All I could say was "WOW WOW WOW" And the Lord was confirming things for me left and right, at this time my back went out and I could not get back to you or engage in forums at that time (almost two years) you also were going through something at that time (I dont want to mention it out of consideration for you) and about which I am sorry for your great loss Wheeler my heart went out to you it truly did. God richly bless you.

I dont think you have any idea how much God has blessed me through your posts and your example in the past and how they confirmed much of my seeking and added various new pieces of the puzzle (as I call it) into what I was catching and it was marvelous to experience at the time. You are pretty much the only one here on this entire forum I take seriously (sorry I have to laugh at that but its true) mostly because I "listen" and not respond knowing you have more to offer me through your gift then I you. I wonder how often that happens? Dont know, but I do really get blessed by your sharing, the way you compare things and your humility you have been a Godsend to my own growth in the Lord and I thank God for you.

Chickapee knows as we are good friends and speak on the phone and oftentimes making mention of you over the years, even now

Glad your here God bless you brother

 

[Wheeler]

Fireinfolding,

I feel very humbled at your words.....and not deserving also. I feel at a loss for words. I thank God for all the things that He does and teaches us.

It is really, really refreshing to find other like-minded individuals such as Chickapee and you.....and there are not many nowadays. True seekers of His Word ....truly open-minded people....are seemingly hard to find as I have often experienced in the past. The silence can be deafening when one presents an “idea” that doesn’t conform with the present, widely-accepted and believed theologies. Most don’t seem to be interested.

I have also called it a “puzzle” many times....and the picture gets clearer and clearer. Not quite there yet....but I feel God is moving us along the right direction.
I thank God for anything you may have gleaned from my over-long, unclear posts....I struggle to get my point across most of the time.....and feel humbled. I thank you for your thoughts and kindness. I thank the Lord for two sisters in Christ!

I’m sorry to hear about your back. I hope it is healing or healed by now. It sounds like it was quite the ordeal. Glad to see you are here again also.....and God bless you!

 

[Chickapee]

Hi Wheeler, I just wanted to say "God bless you" I really get alot out of your posts, God has gifted you brother. Thanks for posting here its a real breath of fresh air

God bless you too Chicapee, I just had to stop in and say Hi to both of you. I dont respond much down here I felt more like I should listen in, glad you both are here.

Thank God for all His mercy and Wisdom and Him giving us some of Himself / Holy Spirit the gift of faith


That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.


I hope you two will continue to share as God be willing


we are Blessed as God is good in every way


Just so Thankful today .
I have been planting flowers today and some vegtables in our garden
and,

Come back and see this , what a pleasent surprise !


I have been enlighted by both of you over the years and thank God for you both and all those whom do share in Jesus Truth .
Peace C ...

 

[Fireinfolding]

Fireinfolding,

I feel very humbled at your words.....and not deserving also. I feel at a loss for words. I thank God for all the things that He does and teaches us.

It is really, really refreshing to find other like-minded individuals such as Chickapee and you.....and there are not many nowadays. True seekers of His Word ....truly open-minded people....are seemingly hard to find as I have often experienced in the past. The silence can be deafening when one presents an “idea” that doesn’t conform with the present, widely-accepted and believed theologies. Most don’t seem to be interested.

I have also called it a “puzzle” many times....and the picture gets clearer and clearer. Not quite there yet....but I feel God is moving us along the right direction.
I thank God for anything you may have gleaned from my over-long, unclear posts....I struggle to get my point across most of the time.....and feel humbled. I thank you for your thoughts and kindness. I thank the Lord for two sisters in Christ!

I’m sorry to hear about your back. I hope it is healing or healed by now. It sounds like it was quite the ordeal. Glad to see you are here again also.....and God bless you!

I feel the same and thank God for you both

The saying must be true Wheeler, "much study wearies the body" my back from sitting and studying acts up when I sit too long studying (because I know its not from lifting heavy stuff ) Its still there I would love for the Lord to heal me so I can continue to do what I love because typing on my elbows in bed is sometimes what I must do. I go back and forth between two computers, the one I sit at to "copy paste" from past studies and the other where I answer somewhat briefly, so if you think about it, I sure would covet your prayers that God would heal me in this regard

Glad to be here again as well... I know me and Chickapee will be discussing your posts by phone mostly... so continue on brother

(Bless you too chickapee) I dont want to ruin the flow of your thoughts, I'll be behind the scenes reading

Hugs

Fireinfolding

 

[Wheeler]

Hi Fireinfolding,

Typing on the elbows does not sound like much fun. Every now and then I throw my lower back out somehow....minor stuff.....and that isn’t much fun for me. I can’t imagine anything more drastic as your back seems to be.....will keep you in my prayers!

I love to study as well....and I do also get a little wearied sometimes ....mentally though. Sometimes confusion sits in when I focus too long.



Wheeler

 

[Chickapee]

I read your post Wheeler
and it got me to thinking of the IMAGE in the dream in Dan 2

and the prophecy that Jesus Christ is the STONE chief of the corner that smotes the Image

there is alot in Daniel to glean from

the 4 kingdoms and the Lord gave Daniel the answer in a night vision


19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

in 31Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.

32This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
33His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
34Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

the 4 in the fire was an interesting concept you saw in the scriptures

I so hope we can go in to these things further
Peace C

 

[Wheeler]

The saints of the Bible have their lives and words recorded as witnesses of Christ. Their witness has been “silent” to the revealed Truth.....Christ Jesus. Their witness has been kept in the “earthly” understanding until the appointed time of His revelation of the hidden knowledge.

(Heb 11:13 KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

They have spoken the message on the “earth” and waited in faith for the heavenly wisdom of God to come and “transform” their words into something much better....better than what has been previously understood by their plain, surface meaning.....the “earth.” Their witness has been “strangers and pilgrims on the earth”.....in the earthly mind of man. They will share in the glory of God through their words which will show forth His praise, wisdom and plan in all spiritual understanding when the time comes.

(Heb 12:24 KJV) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

The literal understanding of the Bible in man’s mind is to be shaken and removed.....so that the spiritual meanings remain by which we shall know His will and plan.

27 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.

When this transformation happens, then they will have been made “perfect.” We shall also be perfected in His wisdom and knowledge that comes through the understanding of His Word.

(Heb 11:40 KJV) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The biblical saints will speak wisdom among those that are perfect. Not the “wisdom of this world”......not the current religious wisdom in our churches.....but we shall see the wisdom of God shine through the witness’ words of the Bible. When they are “perfected” then we are also perfected in all wisdom and knowledge. We are to be built into a perfect house....a building of God.

(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:

This wisdom has been “hidden”....hidden behind seemingly historical, earthly stories of the Bible. Man alone has not been able to penetrate these stories with his earthly mind. Man was to remain in faith for the Lord to come with His revelation of this mystery. The Lord reveals those hidden mysteries behind the “cloud of witnesses’” lives and words of the Bible. There is something much deeper than just the surface understanding of man.....the “earth.” The witnesses speak the wisdom of God in a “mystery” that we have not understood yet. The Lord comes to reveal this mystery....the hidden wisdom of God in a clear way. It is the way the saints of the Bible will share in His glory ....the glory that was ordained by God before the world. God had raised up people to live out their lives and have them recorded in the Scriptures so that He may show forth His wisdom in a future time to a future people....for us today. They are the “body” of Christ that was prepared. The witnesses lived their lives in faith....faith that their witness will be “perfected” in the wisdom of God ....their lives will show forth His wisdom in a new way....a new song.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

When we understand this, then we shall see no man “after the flesh”.....our current earthly understanding (the literal) will no longer stand. We shall no longer see the writings of Moses (and the entire Bible) with historical, earthly “eyes”....but will see him in a new spiritual way in the understanding of Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus transforms all the writings of Moses into His words in all spiritual understanding. He will reveal all of the Scriptures in the spiritual understanding of God. He is the Truth.

(2 Cor 5:16 KJV) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

They are to be “perfected”....their witness is perfected by the active preaching of the Lord. The Scriptures are transformed into the complete wisdom of God. And we are “perfected” by their perfection....by His true spiritual understanding of the witnesses’ words. By His Spirit of Truth, the wisdom of God is revealed through the transformed words of the Bible.....those words of the biblical saints are resurrected in Christ Jesus.

(1 Cor 2:10 KJV) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

We are to no longer listen to the wisdom of man whose interpretations of the Bible are purely earthly teachings....literal. But the words of the witnesses are transformed into spiritual things by the Spirit of God within us.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The “natural man” receives not those spiritual things....he can not know them. He keeps the Bible in his earthly understanding. The plain, surface, literal meaning is where he keeps the Scriptures. He continues to conduct “church” in this sense....not knowing that the mysteries that are hidden are being revealed actively by Christ Jesus. The “natural man” will continue to cling on to the spirit of error. The “natural man” will not hear us.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout.....with the voice of the archangel.....the Spirit of Truth. If we look at Matthew 27 a little deeper, we can see God’s hidden wisdom behind the historical event of the resurrection of the bodies of the saints....it is all a prophecy. Jesus “yielded up the ghost” means he sends forth the Spirit....the Spirit of Truth...the chief message of the spiritual Truth of the Bible. The Spirit of Truth is the loud “voice” we are to hear....to hear what the Spirit says.

(Mat 27:50 KJV) Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.....the hidden mystery shall be revealed from above. The veil of the Scriptures....the literal....will be taken away and His wisdom is revealed from above through the earthly stories of the Bible (the bottom.) The “earth” will quake....the literal understanding will be removed so that which stands is His spiritual understanding. This is all about the coming transformation of the Scriptures from the literal understanding to His spiritual .....in all wisdom and knowledge of God.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

The “graves were opened”....the silent witness of the Scriptures has been a “grave.” Their witness will be opened up in heavenly understanding....something we have never had before. This is what the witnesses had faith in....that their words and lives will be used someday to show forth His glory and understanding.....to us today. Note it was the “bodies of the saints” which slept arose. The saints themselves are with God....they are and have been alive with Him. But it is their witness that has “slept” in the “grave” of man’s literal mind in this present world. The Spirit of Truth comes to “open the graves” to our understanding....to open their words to reveal the hidden mystery that has been hidden since the very beginning.

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

They “went into the holy city”......a veiled reference to their witness being opened up in His wisdom....New Jerusalem. We also go into this NONLITERAL city through the understanding of the Bible with all of the spiritual understanding of God. They “appeared unto many”.....they “disclosed by words” to many. They will preach a spiritual message of God in Christ Jesus. The “holy city” is heavenly Jerusalem.....the city from above....the wisdom of God.....the mother of us all.

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

The “cloud of witnesses” have had their true witness silenced. The Pharisees did not listen to the witness of Moses and all of the prophets. They did not listen to those who warned them on “earth”...so that they could not listen to Jesus’ words.

(John 5:46 KJV) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

The Pharisees and scribes “killed” the witness of the Scriptures. If they truly had listened to the witnesses, they would have not crucified Jesus.

(Luke 11:46 KJV) And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Their fathers had killed the prophets literally because they did not want to listen to their warning on the earth. The scribes partook in this also by the “killing” of their witness. They did not listen. Instead, they built their “sepulchres”.....the witnesses’ “graves”....books/words of the Bible... with their own understanding and teaching......commandments and traditions of men.

48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

The apostles would also suffer the same fate....especially by the churches of today.

49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

The “lawyers” had taken away the key of knowledge for all of us....they had “killed” the witness of Moses and all of the prophets. We do not understand them to this day. The “key of knowledge” had been taken away.

52 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.

And we see in Revelation the souls of those slain for the Word of God and the witness which they held. These are all of the biblical saints whose testimony has been “killed” by earthly man. The Scriptures....the witnesses.... is the “body that has been prepared”.....the body of Christ... that all of our sins have been forgiven.....they are a part of the sacrifice. We have all missed the mark of the Truth....we are all under sin not knowing the complete spiritual understanding of God. We have all been in ignorance of His will and wisdom. The Scriptures is that “altar” or the “place of sacrifice.”

(Rev 6:9 KJV) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Those that “dwell on earth” are those that misuse the witnesses testimony in their earthly wisdom for their own doctrines, commandments and traditions. They misuse the Bible for their own earthly desires..... covetousness, envy and strife. The witnesses are of the “sacrifice” for our sins....missing the mark of their true witness. They (collectively the body of Christ) have bore our sins.....they have had stripes placed on them by the earthly mind of man.

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

The witnesses have “rested for a little season”....their testimony has been silent to the Truth. The “fellowservants and their brethern” that should be killed refers to the witness of the apostles that also would be “killed” by the churches.

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

For the apostles were sent forth last as it were appointed to “death”.....the earthy understanding of man. Their witness would also be devoured the mouth of the “lion”....devoured by earthly men for earthly things of this life. Their witness would be also “killed” as part of the sacrifice in the body of Christ.

(1 Cor 4:9 KJV) For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

This is why Jesus told his disciples that they also would drink the same cup that he drinks of and baptized with the same baptism that he experienced.....his death.

(Mark 10:39 KJV) And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:


continued in next post.....

 

[Wheeler]

....CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST

During this silent time of “death,” earthly-minded man has filled the silence in with his doctrines, commandments, and traditions. But as Paul stated, even in “death” is Christ preached. Even in “pretense” is Christ preached. Even though Paul’s words have been wrested by earthly men, Christ is still preached.....even in this type of “death.”

(Phil 1:18 KJV) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul’s witness will be transformed....will be saved from the “death” of literal, earthly men. The Spirit of Jesus Christ enlivens his testimony....his gospel.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Christ shall be magnified in his “body”....his witness....whether in the living testimony of Christ who will transform the words of Paul into its proper spiritual meaning.....or by “death”.....the current “dead” understanding of man. Christ is still preached through Paul even in the “death” of today.....Paul’s words still gains even in this time of “death.”

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.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Jesus Christ will send the Spirit of Truth to “enliven” the Scriptures .....the cloud of witnesses words. They are to be “resurrected” in His understanding. “Death” will not be able to hold onto its earthly understanding. “Death” will not have the final victory.

When the full discernment of the Truth comes (the revelation of Christ Jesus through the Spirit of Truth,) there will no longer remain a sacrifice for sins.....for “missing the mark” of the Truth. The sacrifice of the body of Christ ....the witnesses of Christ....will have ended because there will no longer be any doubt to what they are saying. We will no longer be in ignorance of the Truth for God who will reveal His Truth through their words.

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

Then the Word of God becomes powerful and full of His glory. He will reveal the hidden mystery through the witnesses’ words. They will no longer be the “suffering servant”...the sacrifice for sins....our missing of the mark of the Truth....but shall be “resurrected” by the power of God. Then there will no longer be a sacrifice for sins for He will reveal the hidden things of His Word. The things not seen will be seen through the things that can be seen....then we will be without excuse to continue in sin....to continue “missing the mark” of the Truth....for the Truth will be revealed to all.

 

[Wheeler]

All of our sins....all of our missing of the mark of the Truth .....has been forgiven in Christ Jesus who died for our sins. As a church, we have not known what we do. The Word was made flesh.....and dwells among us.

(John 1:14 KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We have not been judged according to our sins. The Word (the body of Christ Jesus made “flesh”) has been the “suffering servant.”

(Rev 6:10 KJV) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

All of our sins shall be forgiven......for the blasphemies against the Word that was made “flesh” in men’s minds....not having the Spirit of Truth guiding us into all Truth and knowledge.

(Mark 3:28 KJV) Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

The Word has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows......

(Isa 53:3 KJV) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Our iniquity has been laid on him.....of us all.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Word has been “silent”....not speaking the revealed Truth....as man has literalized the Word.....made “flesh.”

7 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.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

The “grave” is with the wicked......many men have corrupted the Word of God for unjust gain......they profit off of it. Men preach falsehoods....yet there is NO deceit in the Word of God. The deceit is only found in the mouths of wicked men.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Men corrupt the Word of God....they preach out of deceit for riches. But there is no deceit in the Word of God.....in the sight of God the witnesses speak the Truth in Christ who comes to reveal that Truth to us. The Word was made “flesh” but the Spirit of Jesus Christ comes to enliven the witnesses’ word to us in His knowledge.

(2 Cor 2:17 KJV) 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.

The Word made “flesh” is the sin offering for us. All are sins....our missing of the mark of the Truth ....are done in the flesh....with the fleshly mind. When the Spirit of God opens up the Scriptures for our understanding, then there will be no more sacrifice for sin. .....for the Truth of the Word comes in power and glory. The Word will no longer be the “suffering servant” but will come as the King of Kings.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

By His KNOWLEDGE shall the righteous servant justify many.....the Lord Jesus Christ comes to reveal the Truth .....the Scripture of Truth.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

When there comes the knowledge of the Truth, then there will remain no more sacrifice for sins. The Scripture of Truth will no longer be the “suffering servant” but will be spoken in Truth....in power....in judgment.

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



“Heaven opens”......the Scriptures are opened up for our understanding.

(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.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

The Word of God has been the “suffering servant” ....the sacrifice for sins.....the “vesture is dipped in blood.” We have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

He comes as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Out of his mouth is the “sharp” sword of the Scripture of Truth.....who will be a swift witness against those who continue to preach falsehoods...in the face of the revealed Truth of God.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Those who will speak against the Spirit of Truth will not be forgiven.....there will be no more sacrifice for sins. Those who despise the government ......the King of kings.....shall not be forgiven.

(2 Pet 2:10 KJV) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

 

[Wheeler]

The Word was made “flesh” and dwells among us. But the Word doesn’t walk according to the flesh....not according to man’s thoughts and ways....who sees only the “outward appearance” of the Word. The “weapons of our warfare” are not carnal.....they are not the same weapons that the churches uses to war with each other in their literal understanding.

(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.

The Word was made flesh.....but the Spirit of Life will enter into the Word. The Word will be transformed into the knowledge of God.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

The Spirit of God will pull down the strongholds of religious men’s doctrines, traditions and commandments. All denominations shall crumble to the ground. Our religious institutions and things are but dust in the wind.

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

God and His knowledge alone will be exalted in that day. The wisdom of man will be cast down with all of his religious high things that exalt themselves against the revelation of His knowledge.

5 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;

We are to be obedient to the Truth....to the knowledge of God. We are to humble ourselves to His Truth. We are to deny ourselves....our religious convictions of what we previously thought were the truth.

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

For the last 2000 years, religious men have looked on the “outward appearance” of the Word....the Word that became flesh. But once the Spirit of Truth shows us the inner, spiritual Truth of the Word, we are to deny our previous highly-regarded, fleshly thoughts. We are not to exalt ourselves in our religious pride and understanding against the Truth.

7 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.

For no weapon of man that is formed by him shall prosper against the knowledge of God. Every tongue that shall rise against the Truth in the judgment shall be condemned. Man has “formed” his religious doctrines like earthen pottery. His earthly thoughts and ways will be dashed to pieces by the spiritual rod of the Truth. We shall not rely on them at the revelation of the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus is the Truth.

(Isa 54:17 KJV) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

The vessels of a potter shall be broken to “shivers.” It is the heritage of the servants of God to be able to rule over the error-filled doctrines of men....to dash to pieces his denominations...his ways and thoughts.

(Rev 2:27 KJV) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

When we hear the spiritual Truth of the Word of God at its revelation, we are to keep it....to make part of us.

(Luke 11:28 KJV) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

We are to buy the Truth and not sell it. We are to cheerfully receive the love of the revealed Truth and sell all those things we once thought were valuable.

(Prov 23:23 KJV) Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

We are to sell all those earthly, religious things we have and buy the revealed Truth.....that ONE pearl of great price.

(Mat 13:45 KJV) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Let us not be like a “strong man” and resist the Truth when it comes to be revealed. The “strong man” keeps his palace now.....he likes the way things are now and he is not willing to give up his religious empire that he loves.

(Luke 11:21 KJV) When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

The Lord comes to disrupt the “peace” of the strong man who keeps control over the poor in spirit with his fleshly, earthly preaching. The “strong man’s” armor will be taken from him....those things he trusts in. The Truth will destroy all those doctrines and commandments of men......those strong teachings that keep people in bondage to man’s religion.

22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

The “strong man” will resist the Truth because it will threaten his “palace” and his “peace.” The “strong man” will stubbornly preach “peace and safety.” He that is not for the Lord....the revealed Truth....is against him....and he that does not gather with him, scatters. The strong will not keep the Truth. He would rather keep the old man of man’s religion.

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

The “strong man” will not retain the knowledge of God and so will be given over to a rejected mind (reprobate mind) to be filled with all unrighteousness. The last state of that man will be worse than the first. The unclean spirit will take 7 other spirits more wicked than himself and enter in to dwell in those who will not keep the Truth of God.

24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The last state of the “strong man” will be worse than the first. For all that exalt themselves against the Truth will be humbled.....and that humbling process is not pleasant.

(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,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

The Lord lifts up the meek....who humbly accept the Truth. But he casts the wicked down to the ground.....because he will have exalted himself against the revealed Truth.

(Psa 147:6 KJV) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

The “strong man” will not be delivered by his strength....or his trust in his religious doctrines and organizations. A “horse” is a vain thing for safety. They will be preaching “peace and safety”....trusting in their own thoughts and ways.

(Psa 33:16 KJV) There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

The “strong” shall not strengthen his force....neither shall the mighty deliver himself. His teachings are but of flesh....with no true understanding. They will not deliver in that Day. There will be no peace and safety in today’s religious man’s understanding.....the wisdom of this religious world that comes to nothing.

(Amos 2:14 KJV) Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:
15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.

The courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that Day.

16 And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.

The Lord does not delight in the strength of the “horse”......the teachings of earthly men....which are flesh and not spirit. The teachings of man have been strong....keeping those in man’s bondage.

(Psa 147:10 KJV) He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

The religious “strong man” will trust in his own doctrines, commandments, and traditions.....at the wrong time....at the revelation of the Truth. They will not look to the Holy One of Israel when He comes. They will trust in “Egypt”....in the bondage of men’s teachings of the Bible. They will trust in the power of religious leaders and their ways and thoughts.

(Isa 31:1 KJV) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

They are but “natural” men who do not know or understand the spiritual. They will think that the revealed Truth is foolishness. The “Egyptians” are men......and their strong, erroneous preaching is of the flesh....of the wisdom of man....and not of the Spirit of God.

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

They will be the multitude of the shepherds that go out against the Truth....but the Lord is as the young lion who will roar on His prey.

4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

The strong men shall gather themselves against the Truth....in their pride...exalting themselves. But they shall fall.

(Isa 54:15 KJV) Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

The Lord has created the “waster to destroy” all of their things. The strong shall flee .

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

The waster comes to destroy those who will not receive the love of the Truth and be saved.

(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.
God shall send them a strong delusion so that they may believe a lie.

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

They think they will have “peace and safety”....that they will prevail against the Truth of God. They will be like Ahab....persuaded by a “lying spirit” to “go up”.....exalt themselves against the Truth. Ahab fell at “Ramothgilead”.....which means “heights of Gilead”......and Gilead is a “city of refuge.” The height of the Truth of the witnesses of the Scriptures.....the Scripture of Truth is a “city of refuge.”

(1 Ki 22:20 KJV) And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

 

[Chickapee]

Wow , you have been busy Writing and studying in the Word , I have gotten behind , we have been planting the garden
but have much to read thank you .

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

The “graves were opened”....the silent witness of the Scriptures has been a “grave.” Their witness will be opened up in heavenly understanding....something we have never had before. This is what the witnesses had faith in....that their words and lives will be used someday to show forth His glory and understanding.....to us today. Note it was the “bodies of the saints” which slept arose. The saints themselves are with God....they are and have been alive with Him. But it is their witness that has “slept” in the “grave” of man’s literal mind in this present world. The Spirit of Truth comes to “open the graves” to our understanding....to open their words to reveal the hidden mystery that has been hidden since the very beginning.

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

They “went into the holy city”......a veiled reference to their witness being opened up in His wisdom....New Jerusalem. We also go into this NONLITERAL city through the understanding of the Bible with all of the spiritual understanding of God. They “appeared unto many”.....they “disclosed by words” to many. They will preach a spiritual message of God in Christ Jesus. The “holy city” is heavenly Jerusalem.....the city from above....the wisdom of God.....the mother of us all.

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

The “cloud of witnesses” have had their true witness silenced. The Pharisees did not listen to the witness of Moses and all of the prophets. They did not listen to those who warned them on “earth”...so that they could not listen to Jesus’ words.

When you wrote this I thought of Ezekiel Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. ..Eze 37:12Therefore prophesy and say unto them,

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold,

O my people, I will open your graves,

and cause you to come up out of your graves,

and bring you into the land of Israel.

And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD,

when I have opened your graves,

O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

And shall put my spirit in you,

and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land:

then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it],

and performed [it], saith the LORD.

the valley of Dry Bones , this has been the scriptures with out Gods Spirit of Life blown in them

I need to read your other 2 posts yet Wheeler
God Bless you ...........

C ...

 

[Wheeler]

Hi Chickapee,

That is EXACTLY right! The valley of dry bones.....thwhole “house of Israel” is symbolic for the Scriptures. The Word was made FLESH before the Spirit of Life enters into them. As the Lord says in Ezekiel.....He laid “sinews” upon them. The word “sinews” is “giyd” which means “a thong (as compressing)” and comes from the word “guwd” which means “to crowd upon, attack, invade, overcome.” That is exactly what has happened to the writings of the witnesses.....their testimony has been overcome with man’s wisdom.....man’s teachings....man’s “private interpretation.” The “sinews” came UPON them......tribulation came upon them per God’s plan. The Word was made flesh. The Lord brought “flesh” upon them.

(Ezek 37:6 KJV) And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

The “two witnesses” were overcome in Revelation....this all saying the same thing. They are overcome.... “sinews” came upon them.

(Rev 11:7 KJV) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

The Word has been made flesh before the Spirit of Life enters into them at the revelation of Jesus Christ who sends the Spirit of Truth. The “skin” covered them.....the outer letter of the Scriptures covers them. Man has only known the “skin” of the Scriptures. He reads them with the earthly mind.....seeing it as historical stories and not as prophecies for today. He hasn’t understood them without the Spirit of Life in them. The Bible is read literally....earthy.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

When the “sinews” and the “flesh” came upon them, there was NO breath in them.....no SPIRIT in them. The teachings of the Bible in man’s wisdom has no life.....there is no Spirit of Truth in them. The wisdom of man is but of flesh....the earthy man. The Word was made FLESH....literal without the spiritual meaning known.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

The Word has borne the image of the earthy....flesh came upon them, so shall it bear the image of the heavenly.....when the Spirit of Life comes into them. They shall be the armies in heaven. The Word of God is transformed from the earthy into the heavenly when Christ opens up the Scriptures to our understanding. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God.

(1 Cor 15:47 KJV) The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

The witnesses have “borne” the image of the earthy....they have had the “burden”( or “wearing as clothing”) of the “dust”....the earthly understanding....flesh...skin.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

The earthy understanding of the Scriptures is misused by man.....he corrupts the Word of God with his own understanding for his covetous ways. Corruption does not inherit incorruption. The witnesses will be clothed in true Light....the white garment of the Truth. They will be raised incorruptible....in their true, spiritual meaning. The earthy will bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Continuing in Ezekiel...... the Spirit of Life shall be “breathed” upon them so that they may “live.” When we hear what the Spirit says, we are to repeat it.....showing others what the Scriptures are saying.....to make them “alive” through the Spirit....for others to also see how they are “living.” They were “slain”....their testimony was “killed.”

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

The Spirit of Life.....Christ Jesus.....comes from God and will enliven the Scriptures for us..... they will be resurrected......“and they stood upon their feet.”

(Rev 11:11 KJV) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Compare Revelation with Ezekiel.......they “lived and stood upon their feet”.....an exceeding army:

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

The “armies in heaven:”

(Rev 19:13 KJV) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

They were not “standing up upon their feet” before the Spirit of Life enters them....but instead their “dead bodies”.....without the Spirit....has lain in the street of men’s doctrines and commandments....their testimony had been “killed” .....after they had testified against the Jewish leaders who should have listened to Moses and the Prophets words.

(John 5:45 KJV) Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

The Scriptures...the testimony of the witnesses... have suffered just like our Lord.....who had shown to us by the example of his life and death 2000 years ago. And they will also “resurrect” in the spiritual Truth of the Lord.....just like the Lord had showed us. This is what the saints had faith in....to receive the promise of Christ Jesus....the Truth.

(Rev 11:8 KJV) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The Word of God will no longer be the “suffering servant”.....whose bones are dried and whose hope has been lost because of man’s wisdom. They will come out of the “great tribulation.” We also come out of this tribulation.....the time we have lived in....the time of the power of darkness....the “night.” The Day star shall rise in our hearts. The Light shall shine in a “dark place”......the Scriptures shall “shine” with His knowledge and wisdom.....His manifold wisdom! The Day is about to “dawn” in the spiritual morning of the Truth......the bright, morning star.

(2 Pet 1:19 KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

We are to “know this first”....that NO prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. Man has been “privately interpreting” the Scriptures for the last 2000 years. But now Christ comes to fully reveal His interpretation. His interpretation trumps man’s private interpretation.

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Religious man has to cease from his own wisdom. He has to deny himself to be saved. He has to deny his doctrines, traditions and commandments. He has to admit he has lived in error of the Truth. He has to confess his sins and be saved....saved from the wrath that is going to come upon those who reject His truth that will be revealed to us. Our God is merciful and patient....not wanting anyone to perish.....today is the day of our salvation.

(Prov 23:4 KJV) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Man has to cease from hearing the wisdom of man and listen to the wisdom of God. Man must cease to hear the instruction that causes error...that causes him to stray from the words of true knowledge. Man has to cease from his own “private interpretation” of the Scriptures that he has taught, swore by, and lived by. Man has been in “sin”.....the missing-of-the-mark of the Truth. When man teaches error, then comes the great sword that takes peace from the brothers, then comes the famine....then comes the strife over whose “private interpretation” is correct....then comes envy and covetousness. We don’t love our brothers when we strive for debate.

(Prov 19:27 KJV) Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

 

[Chickapee]

wow this is great Wheeler , I can grasp this much better ..the Lords Army , the Lord of Saboath ..

they become Spiritual , where it is flesh , first the natural
than Spiritual , the Heavenly Hosts .

Strong's G4519 - Sabaōth
1) "Lord of Sabaoth"
a) Lord of the armies of Israel, as those who are under the leadership and protection of Jehovah maintain

his cause in war

the Hebrew word in the Old testament Strong's H6635 - tsaba'
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
a) army, host
1) host (of organised army)
2) host (of angels)
3) of sun, moon, and stars
4) of whole creation
b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
c) service

this is awesome !! reading some of the verses , there are sooooooooo many !


they were all given the Breath of Life from the Holy Spirit , Jesus does this here


Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Jhn 20:22And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:


Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.


here are the only two in the New Testament witness

Rom 9:29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma,

and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Jam 5:4Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud,


crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Done a study years ago in this , but never saved it . but remeber some awesome things when looking into it ..

Thanks, peace C ...

 

[Chickapee]

the last posts about the witnesses and renewing of the Holy Sprit /Ghost
is what come also to my minds eye
when they stand on their feet ...Witnesses Stand in the TRUTH Strong's G4228 - pous

1) a foot, both of men or beast
a) often in the orient, one put his foot on vanquished
b) of disciples/ students listening to their teacher's instruction are said to be at his feet


Vanquish

To conquer, overcome, or subdue in battle, as an enemy.

Hence, to defeat in any contest; to get the better of; to put down; to refute.

A disease in sheep, in which they pine away.

Eze 37:10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Rev 11:11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

the feet in the meanings

is awesome
its can mean to vanquish / conquer like overcoming
and than it can mean For Jersus to teach ! and we learn righteouness ,as listening to Jesus means to sit at His FEET

Rev 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

they will listen to What the Spirit of the Holy God is saying and will be subdued by this wonderful Work of Gods Spirit and breath of Life in them

thought this was also very interesting to learn and know about further

Peace C ...

 

[Wheeler]

The “armies” which are in heaven will come with the Lord in righteousness to judge and make war.

(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.

The Spirit makes “alive” the testimony of the whole house of Israel. Indeed, Jesus showed us this by breathing the Spirit on the disciples which represented the house of Israel.

(John 20:22 KJV) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Whosoever shall believe in the revealed, living Word of God will be saved. Their sins will be forgiven them. But whosoever does not believe in the Truth....their sins will be upon their own selves. They will be judged. Thomas was not with the disciples...but believed when the Lord stood in the midst of them. The Lord will stand in the “midst” of the Scripture of Truth....he will “breathe” the Spirit of Life into the Scriptures.

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The Scriptures are to be enlivened in God’s knowledge and wisdom. The Spirit comes into them to establish them in God’s knowledge (stand up upon their feet)....they become an “exceeding great army.”

(Ezek 37:10 KJV) So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

This army with the Lord will judge and make war against all things, imaginations and people that are exalted against the Truth. It will be a “warfare”....against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(2 Cor 10:4 KJV) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
5 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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

The Spirit of Truth comes to reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.

(John 16:8 KJV) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

The Spirit of Truth will guide us into ALL Truth....the Scripture of Truth. We are to hear what the Spirit says.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

The heavenly army is the same as the “ten thousands of saints”....the “holy myriads” of the changed/spiritually enlightened words of the biblical saints.

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

The myriads = the clouds of heaven. They will come with the Lord to execute judgment upon all. When the revealed Scripture of Truth comes, we are then at the “judgment seat” where we are judged by how we receive the Truth. Will religious man receive the love of the Truth and be saved or will he hold the Truth in unrighteousness? Will he hear and not believe the Truth? Will he turn his ear from the Truth to fables? Will he not endure sound doctrine and heap to himself teachers with itching ears?

15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

There will be those among the church who will willfully continue to walk after their own lusts after receiving the knowledge of the Truth. They will despise the “government” of the King of kings....Lord of lords. They will turn their ears from the Truth...they will refuse it.

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

They will be “mockers” who will separate themselves. The tares will be gathered together.

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

A multitude of shepherds will gather together against the Truth. The tares will be gathered by their resisting of the Spirit of Truth. The “kings of the earth and their armies” will gather together to make war against the Lord and his heavenly army....but to no avail.

(Rev 19:19 KJV) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

The false teachers will “deny the Lord” that bought them. They will contradict His Word of Truth with their great swelling words.....their falsehoods....their feigned words. The Word of God ....the Scripture of Truth...is quick and powerful. They will bring upon themselves swift destruction.

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

The false teachers of the church are the “kings of the earth” and their followers are their “armies.” The “kings of the earth and their armies” gather together to speak evil of the way of Truth.....they will make war against the Truth to no avail.

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

Come now....let us reason together. Our sins shall become white as snow....as wool if the Truth is obeyed. To receive the love of the Truth and obey there is great gain. We shall “eat of the good of the land”....we shall know all mysteries as the Spirit of Truth reveals. When we accept the sprout of the Truth, then we can enter into the heavenly city and know all mysteries. We can enter in through the gates.

(Isa 1:18 KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

But if there is a refusal of the revealed Truth and a rebellion.....the gathering together in pride against it, then the Word of God is quick and powerful....as the sharp sword that comes out of the mouth of Christ Jesus.

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

And again, those who oppose the Truth will bring forth their witnesses so that they may be justified in their own eyes. Rather, we should hear the Truth and acknowledge the Truth.

(Isa 43:9 KJV) Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

The Day of the Lord’s wrath is coming against the “high towers”....against all those things and people who will exalt themselves in the Day of the trumpet....the Day of the revelation of the Scripture of Truth.

(Zep 1:16 KJV) A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

The distress will come upon those men who continue to willfully sin after the receiving of the Truth. They will hold the revealed Truth in unrighteousness....in unbelief.

17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

Their silver and gold shall not deliver them in that day. All of their church works, riches, doctrines, traditions, commandments, religious products, tenets of faith, church fathers, pastors, priests, denominations....shall not deliver them. They will have stubbornly rejected the Truth for the old ways of corruptible, religious man. There will be a “speedy riddance” of all of them....that “dwell in the land”....that dwell in the earth.....they will continue to reside in their earthy, literal understanding of the Scriptures which produces envy and strife.

18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

They shall gather themselves together...that nation not desired. The tares are bundled together against the Truth.....bundled by a strong delusion. But the Lord has patience ...not willing that any should perish.

2:1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

Those that are the “meek of the earth” are those that humble themselves at the Truth. They do not exalt themselves in the earthy, literal knowledge of the Bible.....man’s wisdom.

3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

“Gaza” shall be forsaken. “Gaza” means “strong, greedy, mighty.” The “strong man” who contradicts the Truth will be forsaken. “Ashkelon” shall be a desolation. “Ashkelon” meaning “a weighing place”....speaks of the making merchandise of people....the market of religion....the buying and selling of religion. “Ashdod” shall be driven out at the “noon day.” “Ashdod” means “ravager, robber, spoiler”....the robber shall be driven out of the temple at the noon day. Those who have made the Bible a den of robbers will be driven out at the revelation of the Truth.....at the “noon day.” Ekron shall be rooted up. “Ekron” meaning “eradication.”

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

Jesus, who is the Truth and the heavenly armies with him, will drive out “Ashdod”.....the “robber, thieves” of the temple....of the Scriptures.

(Mark 11:15 KJV) And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

The Lord will be against all the “high towers” .....the lifting up of pride of the wisdom of man against the Truth. We should count the cost as the Lord showed us in Luke. The cost is high for exalting ourselves against the Truth....and that “tower” will never be finished. Pride comes before destruction and an arrogant, high spirit goes before the fall. It is better to humble ourselves and not begin to build that tower.

(Luke 14:28 KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

And again, who will go out against the King of kings and Lord of lords with the “kings of the earth and their armies.” There is no way of winning a losing battle. We need to “sit down first”....we need to “come let us reason together” ...to think about it....to acknowledge the Truth.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

It is better to make peace with the Lord .....early! It is better to meekly receive the Truth when we hear it than to prepare to wage a war against it.

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

It is better to forsake all of our own religious wisdom....our own thoughts and ways....for His thoughts and ways....His wisdom and peace. It is better to not start that “tower”...it is better to not go out against to war with the King of kings and the armies of heaven.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

We are to love the Truth...to love the wisdom of God. We are to seek His wisdom “early” in the dawning morning of the Truth.

(Prov 8:17 KJV) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.