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Random thoughts to consider....

Wheeler

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A little more about the lesser and greater lights. John the Baptist represents…or personifies…. the “earthly” witness of the Scriptures…..the “lesser light.” The “greater light” is the Light of the knowledge of God….Christ Jesus. The spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures in Christ Jesus gives us His knowledge…..the Light that shall divide the light from the darkness in our minds. We can then be preachers of His spiritual, revealed Truth….the “stars.”

(Gen 1:16 KJV) And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

John the Baptist represents the “earthly” witness of the Lord in the Scriptures…..the “lesser light.” Just as the moon bears witness to the sun…..the earthly witness of the Scriptures bears witness to the heavenly, spiritual witness that is to come at the revelation of Christ Jesus…..the coming “greater light” that will rule the Day of salvation. John bore witness to Jesus Christ….the earthly witness of the Scriptures bears witness of the heavenly witness that is to come.

(John 5:32 KJV) There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

John the Baptist was the “lesser light” that shined for a season until Jesus came with a “greater” witness….a witness that was not received by man…but by revelation from God in heaven. What he heard and saw God work, he said and did also. Likewise, the Scriptures have given their earthly witness to man (the lesser light that has ruled the darkness of man’s mind for a season). This “lesser light” of the Scriptures witnesses to the coming Day of salvation when the “greater light” shall shine in our hearts….Christ Jesus returns. He comes to preach to us the heavenly witness of the Scriptures.

35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

Christ Jesus is the spiritual Light of the knowledge of God that shall speak from heaven in the last day….to be revealed to us by the Spirit of Truth….the “greater witness.” The greater witness = the “greater Light”…..that will rule the Day of salvation….the acceptable year of the Lord.

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

The “greater witness” is what gives us Life…..not the earthly witness of the Scriptures. The earthly witness of the Scriptures is what points to the coming greater Light….Christ Jesus…who comes from heaven….who is the revelation of the Truth from heaven. When the Day arrives, we are not to go back to the earthly understanding of the Bible that we had rejoiced in for a “season”….in the “night season” of the church. It is NO COINCIDENCE that Jesus is equating the searching of the Scriptures to the witness of John the Baptist here in John chapter 5. Christ Jesus is the revelation of the Truth of the Scriptures…the heavenly understanding of them….that is to be revealed from above.

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

As John the Baptist, the earthly witness must decrease when the Lord reveals the heavenly witness of the Scriptures to us.

(John 3:30 KJV) He must increase, but I must decrease.

His knowledge is revealed to us by the Spirit of Truth…..which is from above. Heavenly wisdom comes from above. The earthly wisdom is corruptible by man who wrests the Scriptures.

31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

The earthly witness of the Scriptures bears witness to the true Light that will come to all who will believe in His heavenly testimony….the heavenly interpretation of the Scriptures. All men are expected to believe in the heavenly interpretation when it comes….that was the job of the earthly witness of the Bible….to prepare us for the coming of it.

(John 1:6 KJV) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

As John the Baptist was not that “greater Light”…so also the earthly witness that we read in the Bible is not that “greater witness.” The earthly witness of the Bible points to the coming revelation of Christ Jesus who will “transfigure” the earthly witness into the heavenly witness.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

As John the Baptist, the earthly understanding of the Bible is not the “Christ”….the Anointed understanding that comes with the Spirit of Truth. It only bears witness to the coming Lord Jesus Christ….the Truth from heaven. The earthly witness of the Scriptures is to only PREPARE us for His interpretation....so that we may recognize Him when He comes to open up the Scriptures to our spiritual understanding.

(John 1:19 KJV) And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

The earthly witness of the Scriptures has given us “meat”….locusts and wild honey. It’s raiment is “camel’s hair.” The earthly witness preaches to us in the wilderness….to prepare the Way of the Lord and make paths straight. By the preaching of the earthly witness…the lesser light…we are to be prepared and to believe in the coming greater witness…the greater Light.

(Mat 3:3 KJV) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

When Christ Jesus comes, the raiment of the Scriptures shall “shine” in His Light….in His knowledge…the “greater Light” in the Day of salvation.

(Luke 9:28 KJV) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

The “raiment” of the Scriptures shall shine in the greater witness that we shall receive from heaven….the spiritual, heavenly interpretation of Christ Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Moses and the Prophets shall shine in the heavenly testimony of Jesus….whose preaching through the Spirit of Truth we are to hear in this last day. The Scriptures shall transfigure from their earthly, corruptible-by-man witness to the heavenly, incorruptible witness of Christ Jesus.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

And like Peter, the church shall awaken from its “sleep” ….from the dust of earthly man’s corruption of the earthly witness of the Scriptures….and SEE His glory. We shall understand the Scriptures with heavenly “eyes”….having the eyes of our understanding enlightened.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

The “cloud of witnesses” shall voice their heavenly witness in Christ Jesus. We are to hear his witness rather than flesh and blood man who easily corrupts the Word of God in his own earthly wisdom.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

To be continued….
 
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Youbrace

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Wheeler and chick thank you so much for keeping this going. I have been reading in awe (only on page 20) and seeing the connections made have opened my eyes. I am going to direct others here also. You are truly blessed and gifted with your understandings. Keep on keeping on and god bless you.
 
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Wheeler

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Hi Youbrace.....thank God for the "eyes" of our understanding finally being opened! We are all just learning these things from Him. Glad you are here....thank you for considering! Sorry for my stumbling around in here with the words...I know I do.

Jesus returns to open up the Scriptures for our spiritual understanding…..He is the “greater witness.” The “greater Light” comes to shine His spiritual knowledge on the “earth”….the mind of man who has only known the “earthly witness” of the Bible. The earthly witness is corruptible by man….as he wrests what the saints have written to us. The greater witness of Christ is incorruptible….man cannot fight the wisdom of the spiritual witness.

As stated earlier, John the Baptist personifies the “earthly witness” of Moses and the Prophets. The job of the “earthly witness” was to prepare the people for the coming of the “greater witness”….the preaching of Jesus Christ whose words are true LIFE.

(Luke 16:16 KJV) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

John the Baptist was the messenger….the “angel”….sent before His face that would prepare the Way before. His preaching of repentance would be the culmination of the message of the Prophets….in preparation of the soon-to-be coming Jesus…who’s preaching of the Truth they were to recognize and hear. John’s preaching turned the listening children (the Jews) back to the father’s writings….so that they would REMEMBER their words….their earthly witness.

(Mark 1:2 KJV) As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The Law…the instruction…. was the “schoolmaster”….the earthly witness… that would bring Israel of the flesh to Jesus Christ in due time. Jesus spoke the Word of God….the “greater witness” ….the “greater Light.” The earthly witness of the Law and the Prophets enabled the people to “prepare the way of the Lord” before Jesus who would come preach the Truth to them. They were to believe in Jesus’ words…they were to receive the living Words of God that was preached by him. The purpose of the EARTHLY WITNESS of the Law and the Prophets was to prepare the Way…..so that they would hear and believe…to have faith…when he finally came to them. If they had listened to Moses and the Prophets, they would have instantly recognized and believed in him. They would have had FAITH in the words of Jesus if they had believed in the earthly witness of Moses and the prophets.

(Gal 3:23 KJV) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

And yet, many leaders had not believed in the writings of Moses…..the “earthly witness” of Moses. They were not prepared….how would they believe in the words of Jesus who spoke the “greater witness” if they had not believed the earthly witness of Moses?

(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?

John the Baptist was put in prison…..and beheaded. His witness had ceased. Likewise, the earthly witness of Moses and the Prophets had been “killed” by the religious leaders of 2000 years ago. By their lack of faith in Jesus’ words, they had thrown away the key of knowledge….the key to spiritually understanding Moses and the Prophets’ writings. Their earthly witness had ceased because of unbelief. The “moon” turned into blood…..the sun was darkened for those who did not believe. They had received neither witness…the earthly nor the heavenly….because of the lack of faith.

(Luke 11:48 KJV) Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
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.

They “killed” the earthly witness of the Prophets….they had taken away the key of knowledge. If they did not believe in the earthly witness of the prophets, they would not believe in Jesus’ words of true Life. they prevented their own "children" from entering in.


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.

Their witness was “slain” for the Word of God…for the TESTIMONY WHICH THEY HELD. Their earthly witness had ceased because of man’s unbelief….religious man had clung onto his own earthly understanding and refused to hear the heavenly understanding.

(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:
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?

Likewise, the fellow servants earthly witness would be slain as well….the testimony of the apostles. They all have taken part in Jesus’ death on the cross of man’s earthly, understanding…where there is NO LIFE.

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.

Christ Jesus’ words are SPIRIT…and they are LIFE…..they are the “greater Light.” The earthly witness of the Scriptures provides neither of these….but has only been the “lesser light” that would prepare us for the coming of the greater witness in the Day of salvation.

(John 6:63 KJV) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The earthly understanding of the Scriptures does NOT give us His Life. Their testimony is the earthly witness….that testifies of the coming of the greater witness…Christ Jesus…who transforms the Bible from the earthly to the spiritual witness.

(John 5:39 KJV) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

The Gentile, Christian church also has its “John the Baptist.” His name is PAUL…whose witness also has been imprisoned in the wresting by earthly man. PAUL is our “John the Baptist”….he is the apostle of the Gentiles….whose earthly witness we are to hear….so that we may know Christ Jesus…the greater witness…. when he returns.

(Rom 11:13 KJV) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

His writings have been the “prisoner:”

(Eph 3:1 KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

As Paul literally suffered for Christ, his writings…his earthly witness…has also suffered in the mouths of “unlearned and unstable” men. His letters have been wrested by many in the church.

(2 Cor 11:24 KJV) Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Yet, his earthly witness….though “weak”…is not weak and burns not. The “burning bush” is not consumed by man’s wresting of the Bible…..for Christ Jesus comes to deliver…to transfigure….their earthly witness into the greater, heavenly witness .

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Many have wrested Paul’s earthly witness. They have used his writings to support their own evil…their own works of their hands….the “Alexanders” of the church.

(2 Tim 4:14 KJV) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

At his “first answer” no man stood with him….no man has stood with his earthly message in the Truth.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

But the Lord comes to stand with him….to strengthen his writings in the greater witness…so that all might FULLY KNOW the mysteries of the gospel. His earthly witness shall be delivered from the mouth of the lion….the unlearned and unstable men who wrest what he has written.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


To be continued….
 
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Chickapee

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Amen !
God bless you Brothers in Christ , Wheeler and Youbrace ,
you are kind to notice and say this to Bro wheeler

I love that you clarified the lights Wheeler .. lesser and greater
and James spoke of the Father of lights Jam 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

I always have the questions lol ,
still much to learn and clarify , I done a study on righteousness / mostly approved of God and we know none are righteous .no not one , But though the SON Jesus Christ .

my question is the good gifts are they of the tree of knowledge of good and evil ?
the perfect gifts are from the tree of life ?
I say this because Jesus said make the tree good and its fruit good or make it corrupt because a tree is known by its fruit ...

the blind man saw men as trees walking when he looked up
Jesus healed his eyes of understanding and he first saw with his own understanding these trees / men walking and when Jesus spit on his eyes again and Jesus made him look up he saw clearly

do you think it was his own understanding when he looked up and saw men as trees walking ? and when Jesus made him look up he was able to see clearly than with the right understanding ?

Mar 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put [his] hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

the word restored Strong's G600 - apokathistēmi means alot I think
1) to restore to its former state
2) to be in its former state
Jhn 1:17For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.Jhn 7:19Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]:)

Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth,

and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
 
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Wheeler

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Chickapee, will have to get to your post next…..I typed most of this up before reading your post. Please forgive me for that.



God created the heaven and the earth that we live in. The heavens are a thing of beauty….I enjoy gazing into the starry night sky. What I especially enjoy is looking at the Hubble telescope pictures of the heavens….some of my favorites are the Sombrero galaxy….the Eagle Nebulae….the Helix Nebulae….and my all-time fav…the Horsehead Nebulae. In fact, I have a big, framed picture of the Horsehead Nebulae on the wall. But the most extraordinary….the most beautiful thing….in this Universe is the heavenly witness of God….even if it is just a glimmer for now….even if it is just a “taste” of the revealed Word of God…..His heavenly gift. How sweet are His words to our “taste.”

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

As God created the heaven and the earth that we see…..He has also created the heavenly witness and the earthly witness of the Scriptures.

(Gen 1:1 KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

BUT, the “earthly witness” of the Bible became “without form and void.” The Hebrew word “hayah” can be translated “became.” Man has corrupted the earthly witness of the Scriptures by wresting them….it has become “without form and void”…..a ruined desert because of man’s private interpretation of them. The saints did not write the Scriptures for confusion…..God is not the author of confusion. It is man who has made their “earthly witness” into the chaos we see today. The church is in darkness today because of the private interpretation by man.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

But the Spirit of God brings the Light of Christ…..the knowledge of God…to regenerate the Scriptures and those that hear with their ears in His heavenly witness.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

God did not create the earthly witness of all the prophets and the apostles in vain…..He did not create their witness to be “without form and void.” He is not the author of confusion. Moses did not write what he heard in order to confuse….Paul did not write his epistles to confuse men. But men in their own devices have taken the earthly witness of the Bible and wrested them….bringing divisions, envy and strife, confusion into the church. Babylon = confusion over the earthly witness of the Scriptures. Where there is envy and strife in the church, there is confusion and every evil work.

(Isa 45:18 KJV) For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

The Lord had not spoken to the biblical saints in chaos……they wrote of His righteousness….and have declared things that are right in their earthly witness. The earthly witness was not spoken in confusion and chaos…He did not create it that way.

19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Men wrote the earthly witness of the Bible as they were moved by the Spirit of God.

(2 Pet 1:20 KJV) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Again, God is not the author of confusion…..He did not create the earthly witness of Moses and all the prophets….and all of the apostles to be in vain. He did not create their earthly witness to be without form and void. But man has caused their earthly witness to become that way…..through his wresting of the Scriptures. Their witness bears about the dying of the Lord Jesus as a result of man’s crucifying the earthly witness in the carnal mind….all done per His design….His manifold wisdom. But, His Life shall be manifest in their witness by the heavenly interpretation of their words by Christ Jesus….when He returns to reveal the Truth through them.

(2 Cor 4:10 KJV) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Paul….and all of the witnesses of the Bible…faint not knowing that Christ Jesus comes to enliven their words in His heavenly wisdom. The “outward man” ….the earthly witness of the Scriptures….perishes…..but they have faith….the inward man is renewed.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

The “light affliction” is their earthly witness in the Bible becoming without form and void by the wresting of man. The earth BECAME without form and void….God did not create it that way.

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

The spiritual interpretation of their words in Christ Jesus are what is eternal….bringing Life to its hearers. The things that are seen in the Bible are the immediate, earthly understanding of their words….those things are temporary.

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The outward man….the “earthly house”…of their witness is to be dissolved. The Lord comes to transfigure the Scriptures from the earthly understanding to the heavenly understanding. He changes the earthly witness of the Bible that perishes into the heavenly witness that endures forever. He changes them like a garment....as a vesture.


(Psa 102:25 KJV) Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

The corruptible shall not inherit the incorruptible. They groan to be clothed in the heavenly Truth….they groan as they are in the earthly house of this tabernacle….in the earthly witness.

5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.


They desire to be "clothed" with the heavenly revelation of their witness.


2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

They are “burdened” in this tabernacle….by the wresting of the carnal mind of man.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

The man’s earthly understanding of the Scriptures will be “dissolved”….the earthly house of this tabernacle will be dissolved. Man’s wresting of the earthly witness has broken down their witness….the power of the holy people has been scattered. The earthly witness is utterly broken down by the carnal mind of man.


(Isa 24:19 KJV) The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.

Satan and his ministers walk up and down in the “earth”…the earthly witness of the Bible….seeking whom they may devour by the wresting of the Scriptures.

(Job 2:2 KJV) And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

His ministers are Scripture wresters…..seeking those whom they devour with their carnally-understood preaching…..preaching for things they covet after.

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

And those who fall victim to man’s wisdom of the Scriptures suffer “gladly”….seeing themselves as “wise.”

(2 Cor 11:19 KJV) For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

Religious man with his wisdom brings his listeners into bondage…the doctrines and commandments of men. He exalts himself over the flock of God....as a king. Man devours man by preaching the Scriptures with his own private interpretation.

20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Satan and his ministers “walk about” in the earthly witness of the Scriptures because that is the part that they can corrupt. But the corruptible wisdom does not inherit incorruption. The kingdom of God is not revealed by religious man....it is revealed from heaven within us.

(1 Cor 15:50 KJV) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Their power to gather their church riches relies upon corrupting …wresting…the earthly witness of the Word of God. This wresting deceives many people. Moses, the prophets and all of the apostles speak the Truth in their earthly witness but it is man that has distorted what they have said in order to gain things of this world. There are divisions and hatred within the church because of the corruption of their earthly witness by man. Like the days of Noah, the “earthly witness” of the Scriptures has become corrupt because of man’s private interpretation of them….his leaning upon his own wisdom.

(Gen 6:11 KJV) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

We are reaching the same point….history repeats itself. Man has corrupted his way upon the earthly witness of the Scriptures….bringing “violence”…divisions, envy, strife, hatred into the church.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

But the words of the witnesses will speak in Christ Jesus…they will speak their heavenly witness which is incorruptible. They will speak sincerely in the “sight of God”…in His revealed knowledge…. in Christ. Their witness shall then become incorruptible by the heavenly interpretation in Christ Jesus.

(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.

And religious man must be born again….of the incorruptible seed:

(1 Pet 1:22 KJV) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

The corruptible seed is the preaching of man….the Bible as revealed by flesh and blood. But, the heavenly preaching of Christ Jesus of the Word of God is that which is living and will abide forever. It is the revelation from heaven of the Word of God….the revelation of Christ Jesus.

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For 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:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Our Lord comes to deliver us from the power of darkness….Let there be Light. we have redemption through his blood….the forgiveness of sins. We have missed the mark of the Truth by the corrupting of the earthly witness….but He is merciful and forgives us. We know not what we do. He comes to reveal the hidden Scripture of Truth….He is the image of the invisible God and makes us partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light. We then can become revealers of the hidden Truth…..by preaching the heavenly witness of the biblical saints’ words. Let there be Light...the greater witness.


(Col1:12 KJV) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
 
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Wheeler

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Chickapee….

Wanted to start with the blind man…..I think you are absolutely correct about what the blind man saw in both instances. Jesus is showing us a contrast between the two kinds of knowledge….the knowledge of man and the knowledge of Christ Jesus. If we look at what is being said immediately preceding and proceeding the healing of the blind man, it magnifies what is being said. Preceding this, Jesus contrasted the doctrines of the Pharisees with his doctrine….his bread that he fed the people with. The modern day Pharisees of the church feed us with the leaven of hypocrisy. Jesus feeds us with the bread of heaven….the heavenly knowledge of God that fully satisfies us.

(Mark 8:13 KJV) And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

With man’s teaching (reasoning)….we do not see the spiritual…we only see the parable as the reality….missing the mark completely.

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

This is all about spiritually understanding.

17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Again, Jesus is contrasting the knowledge of man with the knowledge of God. Immediately after the blind man in Mark 8, we see this contrast continuing when Jesus asks who do MEN say that he is. Man is wrong in his earthly knowledge.

(Mark 8:27 KJV) And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

But Peter answers with the heavenly revealed Truth. Only the Father in heaven gives us the heavenly knowledge….flesh and blood does not. And it is upon this rock….the heavenly revelation of the knowledge of God…that Jesus will build his church upon. The church is not built upon the sands of man’s understanding and will collapse when the revealed Truth is shown to us from heaven.

29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And again….a contrast. Peter rebukes Jesus with his own understanding. Jesus shows us the difference of the heavenly revelation and the flesh and blood reasoning in such a short space here in Mark.

31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Satan and his ministers only “savourest” the things of man…man’s reasoning…man’s religious system….man’s wisdom.

33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter,
saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

And this message is for today….religious man must lose his life….his own wisdom and understanding that he has built his religious empires with…in order to save it. The heavenly Truth is to be revealed from above…and man must depart from his own earthly, from-below, devilish wisdom.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

This is ALL about understanding God with the heavenly wisdom of God….in Christ Jesus who heals us from our spiritual “blindness.”

(Mark 8:21 KJV) And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

In my thinking here, Jesus is showing us a contrast. First, this is what the religious understanding of man does to us. It spits upon our eyes…..our understanding….and the strong men (the trees….possibly the oak trees which are symbolic of strength) lay their hands upon us. The blind man only sees “men”….walking about in his own knowledge and pride.

23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

But when Jesus puts his hands upon the eyes of our understanding, then we are truly restored and can see every man clearly…for who he is.

25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

When we are healed with His spiritual understanding, we are not to go back to where we once were. WE are to leave Babylon and never return to it.

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

In man’s understanding, men walk about seeking whom they may devour with their words. He is like a tree….a strong oak. But the Lord comes to bring those men down…..

(Isa 2:12 KJV) For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

They are like the cedars of Lebanon….high and lifted up in religious pride…in man’s wisdom…against the spiritual revealing of the Truth. Religious man walks about after his lusts for money and things...in the pride of his own understanding.


13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,
14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,
15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,
16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

When the Lord comes to heal us with His spiritual wisdom, then we can see men clearly….no longer after the flesh of man’s understanding.

(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.

When He puts His hands upon the eyes of our understanding, all things will become new. The old things of man’s tired wisdom passes away….we will see things and men in His clear, heavenly, shining understanding.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

To be continued….
 
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Chickapee

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I was thinking of the earthly witness
and how this is written here ..Jhn 3:31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

and here

And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)


But 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,
Hbr 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.


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:

Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying,

Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 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.Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear For our God [is] a consuming fire.


this would bring in the new heavens and earth shaking/ quaking of the oldIsa 51:6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath:

for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner:


but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.



Isa 65:17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind

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Isa 66:22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.


Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
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2Pe 3:13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
 
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Chickapee

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I apolgize for the two trains of thoughts Wheeler
its just I do associate Light and lights with Knowledge
and the trees also with knowledge of good and evil
and tree of Life

the lights and also the trees
and us having to go back and forth ..

this would be Sion the City and New Jerusalem in the above post


once we arrive as all things are fulfilled in Jesus Christ ..
the Light and Wisdom , knowledge of God in the SPIRIT and Truth
Rev 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:


and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there

I have such hope this is just amazing !
 
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Wheeler

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Chickapee, just thinking a little more about the earthly witness here.



When the Lord opens up the Book to our understanding, then all the things will become new. What we thought the Bible was saying will say something else in His heavenly interpretation. It is, after all, a NEW SONG. It is a new, heavenly way of understanding the words of the scriptural witnesses. When we repeat what we have learned from Him, we sing that “New Song.” It is not the tired, old denominational clichés…..but something fresh…with meaning. We are to play this new song skillfully with a “LOUD” noise.

(Psa 33:3 KJV) Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

What we hear in the ear, we are to proclaim upon the housetops…..to play skillfully with a loud noise so that others may hear that His works are done in Truth….in the Light.

(Mat 10:27 KJV) What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

We praise the Lord by singing this new song…..by proclaiming His revealed Truth to all. His saints assemble in the Light of Christ Jesus….the Truth. The scriptural saints will sing with meaning their heavenly message…..and we sing with them their message…by repeating what we hear. That is our inheritance with the saints in the Light….the greater witness of Christ Jesus.

(Psa 149:1 KJV) Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

This is also comparable to a circular dance ….in some way.

3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

The earthly witness of the saints of the Bible has suffered the brunt of man’s misinterpretation….while we wait for the Lord to come and reveal the hidden Truth that is contained in them. The sufferings of this present time = the sufferings of the earthly witness of the saints....along with us. The Truth shall be revealed in the witnesses’ words by Christ Jesus…who will change them from the corruptible to the incorruptible.

(Rom 8:18 KJV) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The earnest expectation of the creature….or the earnest expectation of the earthly witness of the saints….waits for the “manifestation”…or the revelation of the sons of God. We are to repeat what we hear the Spirit of Truth saying in this last day. We will reveal through the Spirit what the Scriptures are saying in their heavenly Truth….the manifestation of the sons of God.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

For the earthly witness of the Scriptures was made SUBJECT to vanity. Man has had the power to make the earthly witness of the Bible become “without form and void” ….per God’s plan. The earth BECAME "without form and void" = the earthly witness was subject to man's vanity which has marred the words. The wisdom of man has marred their witness by leaning upon religious man’s own understanding.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

But the earthly witness of the saints shall be delivered from that bondage of corruption by religious man. We, the children of God, are to properly interpret the Scriptures in the mind of Christ Jesus…..and not the preaching of flesh and blood man whose interpretation is corrupt. The Scriptures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption which was brought by man's private interpretation of them.


21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Everyone has groaned and travailed in pain together. The church has been in pain….in divisions, envy and strife. The earthly witness has groaned because of the corruption of man…and the resulting evil works of man….the divisions, hatred, covetousness, strife, etc.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Paul stated that the earthly house of this tabernacle…the earthly witness of the Scriptures….groans to be clothed with the “house” which is from heaven….the heavenly witness which is incorruptible by man. Then man can live in peace and unity….in the heavenly wisdom of God who will build the church upon the this revelation from heaven.

(2 Cor 5:1 KJV) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

The earthly witness of the Bible has opened its mouth to swallow up the flood which Satan and his ministers have cast out of their mouth. It has been made subject to man’s vanity…his empty, worthless, corrupt interpretation. The heavenly wisdom has been protected and hidden by the earthly witness. The earthly witness has swallowed up the corruption of the preaching of the ministers of Satan. The earthly witness has become without form and void in the darkness of man’s own wisdom.

(Rev 12:15 KJV) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The earthly witness of the Scriptures is the “suffering servant” whose “visage was so marred” more than any man. It has been marred by man’s wisdom…who has wrested the Scriptures beyond the recognition of the Truth behind their words.

(Isa 52:14 KJV) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

But the heavenly witness shall be given by our Lord Jesus Christ….which will deliver the words of the saints from the “death” of man’s dark mind. The “kings” shall shut their mouths at Him…..for in the past, they have wrested what they knew not. What they have not been told, they shall see at the revealing of the Scripture of Truth.

15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

It is the earthly witness of the saints that bear about in the “body” the dying of the Lord Jesus. Their witness has been marred by man….and yet, that is part of the sacrifice of Jesus. Religious man has crucified the earthly witness…..which is part of the sacrifice of Jesus.

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

The earthly witness of the Scriptures bears about the dying of the Lord Jesus....our iniquities...our sins...our missing of the mark of the Truth...has been laid upon him.



(Isa 53:5 KJV) 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.
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.
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.
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.


But the Truth shall spring out of the earth…out of the earthly witness of the saints.

(Psa 85:11 KJV) Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The Branch….the Sprout…of the Truth shall grow up out of the heavenly witness of the Scriptures. The church shall be built upon this heavenly witness.

(Zec 6:12 KJV) And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

We shall be built into the tabernacle of God by His heavenly wisdom that descends from heaven. He shall dwell with us who are united in peace by His heavenly witness.

(Rev 21:3 KJV) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. There shall no longer be any strife,envy, divisions, blasphemies in the churches. We shall live together in one mind and one body….the tabernacle of God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

He will make all things new. He will make the words of the Bible TRUE and FAITHFUL by His heavenly revelation of the Truth that has been hidden.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

His words are Life…they are Spirit.

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

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The earthly witness of the biblical saints BECAME (Hebrew word “hayah”) “without form and void.” The earthly witness has been subjected to vanity, confusion, emptiness, chaos….which has been caused by man’s private interpretation of the Scriptures. The churches are in their divisions, confusion and strife because of the leaning upon their own wisdom. The churches are in the “darkness” of their own minds….darkness was upon the face of the deep.

(Gen 1:2 KJV) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

But God will command the Light to shine out of the darkness. He commands the Light…Christ Jesus…to shine in our hearts. He will give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the heavenly Light…the heavenly witness of the Scriptures….who will transfigure all of the words of the earthly witnesses into their incorruptible meanings….into their heavenly message.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

God will command the Light to shine out of the darkness that is in our hearts….to shine His revealed knowledge. The Light of the KNOWLEDGE of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shall shine.


(2 Cor 4:6 KJV) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

As Paul states, there is a treasure in “earthen vessels”…the earthly witness of the Scriptures. This heavenly treasure is hidden in the Scriptures….and is to be revealed by the power of God. Flesh and blood cannot reveal this treasure….only by revelation from heaven can we understand this.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The earthly witness of the Bible has been troubled on every side….perplexed…..persecuted….cast down…by man’s private interpretation. Yet, the hidden Truth (the treasure) is not distressed….not in despair…..not forsaken….not destroyed.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

The earthly witness bears about in the body of the writings the dying of the Lord Jesus. The earthly witness is what has been sacrificed….it has become “without form and void” by man’s private interpretation…which brings divisions and hatred into the churches. Yet, by this sacrifice, we are forgiven….our sins are laid upon him. The Word was made flesh. But, by the power of God, the heavenly witness…the Light…. of the Scriptures comes shining through the body of the Writings. This Light will shine in our own dark hearts so that we may have Life….so that we may love one another in unity of mind and body.The hidden Truth shall be manifest in the body of writings....like a treasure in earthen vessels.


10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

The Writings of the saints have been delivered unto “death” for Jesus sake. Man’s private interpretation of the Bible is the “death” because it brings hatred and divisions. The earthly witness is the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins….our missing of the mark of the Truth.

11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

The Scriptures represents the entire body of Christ….because it was written by men who were led by the Spirit of Christ. This is the sacrifice for our sins...our missing of the mark of the Truth.


12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

As Paul states, he bears in his body…his “body” of writings….the marks of the Lord Jesus.

(Gal 6:17 KJV) From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

The “body” had been prepared….the earthly witness of the Scriptures was written as directed by the Spirit….the “volume of the Book.” The sacrifices and offerings were symbols that were kept until the completion of the earthly witness of the Scriptures....the perfect sacrifice in Jesus.

(Heb 10:5 KJV) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

The earthly witness of the Scriptures is represented by the whole offering….the burnt offering. The “burnt offering” in the Hebrew is “olah” which means “that which goes up.” The witness is to ascend into heaven…the heavenly witness of Christ Jesus. Their earthly testimony had been “killed” by man’s wisdom….by his wresting of the Scriptures….but, they are to be transferred from the power of darkness ( the wresting of them by man) into the kingdom of the Son.

(Col1:13 KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The Spirit of Life from God shall enter into them….and they shall ascend into their heavenly testimony.

Revelation 11:11 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.


The whole sacrifice = the "olah" = that which ascends or goes up.


12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Heaven shall be opened….the Scriptures shall be opened to 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.

His “vesture” is dipped in blood…signifying the sacrifice that was done as the “suffering servant.” But now the Word of God will come in the revealed Truth….in power and great glory….as King of kings and Lord of lords.

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.
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.

The Truth is going to be revealed in the Scriptures….and we are to receive the knowledge of the revealed Truth in belief. There will remain no more sacrifice for sins…for missing of the mark willfully. The Word of God will no longer be the “suffering servant” in the mouths of men who have wrested it….but it will come as King of kings and Lord of lords….and the Truth will devour its adversaries who will seek to continue to wrest them for their deceptions.

(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.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

There will be a time of trouble for those who will continue to wrest the Scriptures….to their own destruction….in the great revelation of the Truth….when the knowledge of the Truth shall be increased.

(Dan 12:1 KJV) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

For the wrath of God is to be revealed from heaven against all those who will hold the revealed Truth in unrighteousness.

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

The knowledge of God will be increased….He shall manifest His knowledge to us.

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.

Religious man is expected to believe in His Truth when it is revealed. If we believe in the words of Paul….the earthly witness of Paul…the things that we can readily see in his epistles, then we can believe in the revealed Truth when it comes. Just as the Jews were to believe in Moses’ writings in order to recognize and believe in Jesus….we are to believe in Paul’s earthly witness in order to recognize the heavenly witness when it comes. His epistles should have prepared the way for us to hear and believe in Christ Jesus when he is revealed.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Paul has preached Christ even through the wresting of his epistles by man….even through the marring of his writings by earthly-minded men…..even in pretence.

(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.

It has been through the “infirmity of the flesh”….through the wresting of Paul’s epistles (his earthly witness) by fleshly-thinking men….that the gospel has been preached to us. Even so, Christ is still preached. Even so, his epistles should prepare us for the revelation of Christ Jesus.

(Gal 4:12 KJV) Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

But now, in the kingdom of the Son who strengthens Paul’s letters in the Truth, we are to believe in the heavenly witness.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

We are to buy the revealed Truth when we find it. The Truth has been like a treasure hid in a field…it has been hid in the earthen vessels of the Scriptures. We are to receive it with joy and belief….selling all the knowledge and wisdom of man for the Truth.

(Mat 13:44 KJV) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.


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

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Great verses and understanding with them !
I was thinking about being carnal is still babes in Christ
and they can only handle the milk and not the meat
Jesus said His meat is to do the will of God the Father who sent him and finish the work , when we grow up into Christ we can also do the will of God


1 Corinthians 3


1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?



Jhn 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving , God bless and am thankful C
 
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Wheeler

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Great verses and understanding with them !
I was thinking about being carnal is still babes in Christ
and they can only handle the milk and not the meat
Jesus said His meat is to do the will of God the Father who sent him and finish the work , when we grow up into Christ we can also do the will of God


1 Corinthians 3


1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?



Jhn 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving , God bless and am thankful C


Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Chickapee, exactly! Paul’s writings have only fed us with “milk”…..because of the carnal nature of many in the churches….living in strife, envy and divisions. Living in hatred of one another because of doctrinal differences brought on by man’s wresting of the Scriptures is the “death.” Even so, Paul’s letters preach Christ….even if through man’s wresting of them by the preaching of envy and strife. What has happened to Paul’s earthly witness (the wresting of it by carnal men) is designed for the “furtherance of the gospel” in the revelation of the Truth.

(Phil 1:12 KJV) But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some preach Christ even though with envy and strife….the “milk” still is fed to them.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Whether in pretence….the outward showing of carnal men…or in Truth, Christ is preached.

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

The supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ shall save Paul’s witness from the wresting of carnal men…..who suppose to add affliction to his “bonds.”


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

By the preaching of the Spirit of Jesus Christ through Paul’s witness( the LIFE…the heavenly witness), Christ shall be magnified in his “body” of writings The meat of the Truth shall be preached. Even now though, in the wresting of carnal men…in the DEATH, Christ is still preached in the "body" of his writings. Christ is preached….even though it is just “milk.”

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.

In either case, both are gain. His witness that is to be preached by the Spirit of Jesus Christ is LIFE. Christ Jesus is the heavenly witness that preaches through Paul the mysteries that have been hidden. His words...His heavenly witness... are LIFE and SPIRIT.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

To depart from the earthly witness and to be in Christ’s heavenly witness is FAR BETTER.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

To abide in the flesh…in the earthly witness of Paul…. is more needful because of the carnal nature of the many in the churches. He bears the marks of the dying of the Lord Jesus by doing so. All of our sins are forgiven by the sacrifice of the earthly witness of Paul’s letters and the rest of the Scriptures in Jesus.

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

The sacrificial earthly witness of the Scriptures shall end though.....the earthly witness shall change into the heavenly witness of Christ....the corruptible into the incorruptible. The witness of the saints shall "ascend" into the heavenly witness. The "whole offering" of the Scriptures in Jesus = the Hebrew word "olah" = "to ascend" = the "ascension" offering. The wrested earthly witness shall ascend in the mind of Christ Jesus....by doing so they "depart" to be with Christ Jesus...which is FAR BETTER. Their witness shall be in the GREATER WITNESS of Christ Jesus....by which we can then put on the new man and put away the old religious, corrupt, carnal man who fights and wars over earthly-minded carnal doctrinal differences. We can then live in peace and unity....and love...in Christ Jesus...the greater witness...the heavenly witness.
 
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Chickapee

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Amen to that Wheeler !

Jesus Christ testimony/witness is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY !Pro 1:23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.



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Joe 2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:


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Joe 2:29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.


And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

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Act 2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
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Act 2:18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
same witness in Acts with even more revealing testimony in them !
this is awesome
Praise God
C

much blessings , and Thankful today to the Lord God for every thing ..
 
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Wheeler

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Chickapee, hope your Thanksgiving has gone well. Well, I know I just ate too much…but it was soooo good.

I am thankful to Him for everything. We can only understand the Scriptures by His heavenly testimony…..the Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Amen!


Please read the following with an open mind…..just consider it. I’m going somewhere I have not gone yet in here….but I cannot ignore the thoughts that have crossed my mind about this.

As stated many times before, Paul’s letters have been wrested by the “unlearned and unstable” for a reason….to test the church. Paul has not written false things…but it is religious men who has taken his writings and persecute the church with them by twisting what he has said. By the wresting of his epistles, Satan and his ministers have brought divisions, hatred, strife and envying into the churches. The “mouth of the lion” that Paul’s letters have been in for the last 2000 years has brought every evil work into the churches. They have brought the envy and strife….where there is every evil work and confusion. But, the Lord comes with His knowledge to deliver Paul’s writings from the misuse of them. The Lord will strengthen Paul’s witness in the heavenly witness of Christ.

(2 Tim 4:17 KJV) Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This has all been done per the plan of God….all for the purpose of displaying His Glory in the appointed time. Paul’s letters have been used by Satan and his ministers against the church itself….putting it into “prison” to try the church. The wresting of his letters have brought “death”…hatred…of each other into the churches.

(Acts 26:10 KJV) Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

They have brought blasphemies into EVERY church denomination.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

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

His letters, in the carnal understanding of man, have been used to persecute the Way unto the “death”….causing many in the church to not love one another. Not loving one another is abiding in “death” ….in the prison of envy and strife.

(Acts 22:4 KJV) And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

And now to add more to this….there is a strong link between Judas and Paul. The main tip off to these thoughts is where Saul was to be found by Ananias after he was blinded by the Light. He was to be found in THE HOUSE OF JUDAS. We must now look at what has happened to Paul’s letters in the light of what happened to Judas. When you are of the same “house,” you share the same story so to speak.

(Acts 9:10 KJV) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Judas was a chosen apostle…..yet a “devil.”

(John 6:70 KJV) Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Paul’s writings are also a “chosen vessel” unto the Lord….and yet Paul must suffer many things for His name’s sake. The suffering is the wresting of his epistles by the wisdom of men who persecute the churches with their carnal understanding of them. But Christ Jesus will come to deliver his writings in order to be used for preaching the heavenly gospel so that we may know FULLY.

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

Satan had entered into Judas…..a chosen apostle that was of the twelve.
(Luke 22:3 KJV) Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Carnal preachers wrest Paul’s letters for MONEY….coveting after other’s gold, silver and apparel.

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

A thorn in the flesh….the messenger of Satan…was given to Paul’s letters. The mouth of the lion had entered in and has taken possession of his writings in order to deceive others for their own covetousness. There is an abundance of revelations in the writings of Paul that has been kept hidden by the wresting of religious man….which keeps him from being exalted by men above measure.

(2 Cor 12:7 KJV) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Judas received the “sop” from Jesus…..

(John 13:26 KJV) Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Paul had received the gospel not after man but received it by revelation of Jesus Christ.

(Gal 1:10 KJV) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Flesh and blood man has taken his writings that were received by revelation by Jesus (the sop dipped) and have used them to persecute the church of God and waste it with their envy and strife and evil works of confusion.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

What Paul had received from the Lord Jesus directly by revelation ( the sop dipped), it had been delivered to us…but there are those who have taken his writings and used them in their evil works ….for not loving one another. The symbolic meaning of the Lord’s supper is to love one another. This we are to do in remembrance of his love for us.

(1 Cor 11:23 KJV) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

Like Judas, ….guilty of the body and blood of the Lord….

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

There are those who have turned Paul’s letters into the “field of blood”….by going after reward. They have no mercy on those they deceive….their “bowels” have gushed out.

(Acts 1:18 KJV) Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Those who dwell at “Jerusalem” …those who dwell in the wisdom of God…call the misuse of Paul’s letters “the field of blood” because they bring hatred, envy and strife into the churches by the wresting of them. The “proper tongue” = the private interpretation of Paul’s letters. “Aceldama” = the smoothness of their tongues brings about the “field of blood” into the church.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

Paul was the last apostle….

(1 Cor 15:8 KJV) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Judas was also LAST….

(Mat 10:1 KJV) And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

But the LAST shall be FIRST. What was once used by “unlearned and unstable” men for persecuting the church while they pursued their love of money, shall be used by Christ Jesus for our SALVATION.

(Rom 16:25 KJV) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

His letters are the chosen vessel…the last shall be first….to bear His name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

(Acts 9:15 KJV) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

to be continued….
 
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Wheeler

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….continued from previous post….

I’m not saying here that Paul’s writings are “Judas”….for Paul has wrote everything in the Truth of the revelation of Christ Jesus which he had received. Saul/Paul saw the “greater Light”…the greater witness of Christ Jesus…..the “Light from heaven”….the heavenly knowledge of God.

(Acts 9:3 KJV) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

(Acts 22:6 KJV) And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

What he has received by this great revelation, he wrote to us in his earthly testimony…his letters. The “Judas’s” are those who have taken Paul’s writings (the sop that has been dipped) into their own wisdom and have wrested them for reward….for covetousness…for material things. Satan has entered into his ministers....into the Judas's. They have gone out into the "night." They have used his writings for their own greed. They have used the epistles of Paul as “Saul”….which means “to ask”….and comes from the same word as “Sheol”…the grave. Satan had asked to test the church by using Paul’s writings in the mouths of the “unlearned and unstable” men of the church to do so. They use Paul as "Saul"….the grave. Jesus has chosen Paul…the chosen vessel….and yet the devil had taken possession of his writings in order to test and imprison the church in envy and strife….to put them in the “grave” of man’s strife. Paul’s writings have fallen to the “ground” of man’s private interpretation. They have persecuted the church with his own writings.

Acts 22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest

Paul’s writings have been in the “house of Judas” ….in the house of those who betray the body of Christ with their false, covetous teachings. They bring divisions, hatred and offenses into the church by way of wresting Paul’s epistles.

(Acts 9:11 KJV) And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

But, his writings shall be interpreted properly in Christ Jesus….his “sight” shall be restored. His writings shall be baptized in the Truth….to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They shall speak in the Lord’s heavenly witness…the revealed Truth from heaven….the “great Light” of heaven shall shine all about Paul’s writings.

(Acts 9:17 KJV) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

The Lord shall strengthen Paul’s writings with the meat of the revealed Truth.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

And Paul’s writings shall “straightaway” preach Christ…that he is the Son of God….in the Spirit of Truth.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

The Judas’s of the church are those who have taken what Paul has received from the Lord (the sop that was dipped) and has delivered to us in order to promote hatred….strife and envy in the church. They have made Paul’s writings a “field of blood” in their carnal preaching of them.

(1 Cor 11:23 KJV) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

They are like Judas….guilty of the body and blood of the Lord…when they do not practice love for one another…the true meaning of the Lord’s supper.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Judas had the money bag….he was in charge of keeping the money for the poor.

(John 13:29 KJV) For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

The Judas’s of the church also do not care for the poor…..for they take what they collect.

(John 12:4 KJV) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

They wrest Paul’s letters for their money collections. Judas was in charge of the money bag. Paul also was in charge of the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. What Paul is speaking about here is the revealed Truth that has been given to us….that we are to share this revealed Truth with others….who are poor in Spirit. But the Judas’s of the church twist what Paul has written for their own money gathering activities. They do not care for the poor in Spirit….they help themselves to the “money bag.”

(1 Cor 16:1 KJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

We Gentiles are to share the revealed Truth with the Jews….we are to minister to them the mysteries of the Scriptures. Carnal man has turned the teaching of Paul’s collection for the saints into the collection for their own pockets.

(Rom 15:25 KJV) But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.


The Gentiles are to preach what the literal things of Moses and the prophets mean in their spiritual Light....in the Light of Christ Jesus.


27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

The “great dearth” is the absence of the Truth being preached…we are currently living in the great famine of hearing the Word of God. We don’t hear the Truth being preached any more in the churches…..Truth has been cast down to the ground.

(Acts 11:28 KJV) And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

But those who hear what the Spirit is saying, are to repeat what they hear….to send relief to the brothers….especially the Jews who are also in this great famine.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

This relief comes from understanding Paul’s gospel in the heavenly witness of Christ Jesus.

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Likewise, the Judas’s of the church honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Their hearts are after their own covetousness….seeking those “30 pieces of silver.”

(Mark 14:42 KJV) Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

But Paul shows us that we must greet each other with a “holy kiss”….one that is of sincerity and of Truth…one that is of unfeigned love for one another. We are the body of Christ….and we are to salute one another with a holy kiss…..not with lips of flattery…seeking to gain something from its hearers.

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

We are to mark those who cause the divisions and offenses….the Judas’s of the church who come to us with their “swords and staves.” They come with the wresting of Paul’s letters….they preach things that only serve themselves…they preach only themselves….they preach for those “30 pieces of silver.”

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

They serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly. They crawl about their bellies on the dust of man’s wisdom….seeking to deceive those who will listen to them. And for what? For dishonest gain….so that they can steal from the money bag.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

(1 Cor 16:20 KJV) All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

(2 Cor 13:12 KJV) Greet one another with an holy kiss.

(1 Th 5:26 KJV) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

To be continued…..
 
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Wheeler

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The church of God is the body of Christ that the appointed overseers are to feed. He has purchased the church with his own blood. Yet, Paul warned us of the “wolves” that would enter in among us….Satan’s ministers would enter in among us…not sparing the flock. They would wrest Paul’s letters in order to persecute the church with. They would misuse Paul’s writings in order to gather dishonest gain to themselves….the 30 pieces of silver…for their betrayal of the blood and body of Christ.

(Acts 20:28 KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

They are “wolves” because of their wresting of Paul’s letters. Paul is of the tribe of Benjamin:

(Rom 11:1 KJV) I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Phil 3:5 KJV) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Benjamin shall “raven as a wolf.” The wolves would raven the prey….the church of God…the body of Christ…by wresting Paul’s epistles.

(Gen 49:27 KJV) Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

The wolves are church leaders that have entered in among us and who are like wolves ravening the prey….the body of Christ. They are guilty of the blood and body of Christ….not discerning his body. They have destroyed souls by what they have preached….all for dishonest gain….for the 30 pieces of silver. They have turned Paul’s letters into the “field of blood” by wresting them to their own destruction.

(Ezek 22:27 KJV) Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

The princes of the church that have entered in among us are like roaring lions….seeking whom they may devour by the wresting of Paul’s letters. They are the “Judas’s” of the church. The judges of the church are like the “evening wolves”…who divide the spoil.

(Zep 3:3 KJV) Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

They have done violence to the law…..they do not preach love for one another. Covetous teachings brings envy and strife into the church.


4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

What Paul has received from the Lord (the sop dipped), he has given to the overseers of the church...His body... by way of his writings. We are to love one another….the true Lord’s supper. But the wolves have come in wresting what Paul has given to us and they have destroyed souls and shed blood not discerning the body of Christ. His church is His body. They have brought hatred, divisions, envy and strife into the church with them….by way of wresting Paul’s words. They have brought sickness and sleep to the many in the church by their devouring teachings. WE are TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER = THE LORD'S SUPPER THAT WE ARE TO KEEP.


(1 Cor 11:23 KJV) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Paul teaches the elders of the church of today that he has kept nothing back that was profitable to us. He has openly showed us and has taught in his epistles how the church should behave….with love for one another. He has preached that one must serve the Lord with all humility of mind…..he has testified about repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ.

(Acts 20:17 KJV) And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul knew 2000 years ago what would happen to his epistles. The Spirit witnesses to him this by what had happened to him in every city that he visited. What had happened to him literally, would happen to his earthly witness of the epistles.

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

His epistles are PURE FROM THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN. He has spoken openly how the leaders of the church should act. He had received the sop that was dipped from the Lord….he had received the writings by divine revelation…and has given them to us. But it is the Judas’s of the church who have taken the sop and gone out into the night to betray the body of Christ…..His church.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

They do so for dishonest gain….like wolves they devour the prey…by wresting Paul’s letters. They seek after the covetousness that is in their hearts.


(Acts 20:32 KJV) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

But the Judas’s of the church are going to lose their places in the church. They have been “guides”…or teachers…to them that have taken the body of Jesus…His church. They are guilty of the blood and body of Jesus…His church…by their covetous, dividing teachings that bring hatred, envy and strife into the congregations.

(Acts 1:16 KJV) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

They had obtained a part of the ministry. They have been the servants that were appointed as overseers of the church. But, during the delay, they began to strike the fellowservants…and to eat and drink with the drunken….those drunk with covetousness.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

They had purchased a field with the reward of iniquity. They had turned Paul’s letters into a field of blood by wresting them out of the covetousness of their hearts. They have done so to their own destruction.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

They will be replaced by those who are not given to covetousness….not given to “wine”….not greedy of filthy lucre.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

They will be replaced by those who witness the revelation of the Truth in this last day…..the standing up of the Truth…..the resurrection. Christ Jesus is the Resurrection….His revealed words are Life and Spirit. We have our inheritance with the saints in LIGHT. We are to be witnesses of their heavenly testimony. We are to repeat what we hear the Spirit saying in this last day.

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

“Matthias” means “gift of God.” His heavenly wisdom….His revealed Word of Truth is the gift that we receive.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

He chooses us for that gift. It is a gift….not something earned by our religious works and thoughts.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Satan and his messengers….the Judas’s….shall go to the place that has been prepared for them.

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Every perfect gift is from above…..the heavenly Word of Truth. Our faith in His revealed Truth is a gift.

(James 1:17 KJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.


(2 Tim 1:6 KJV) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

By His grace…His mercy….we are saved through faith in the heavenly revelation of the Word of Truth. We are not saved by denominational, flesh-and-blood man’s interpretation of the Scriptures. We are saved by believing in the revealed Word. Flesh and blood man does not discern the body and blood of Jesus…His church.

(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Those who will take the place of the Judas’s of the church ( Judas =those who do not discern the body of Christ)…are to be replaced by those who are not given to covetousness. The “wine” of Babylon is covetousness. Those that have drunk from her cup have enriched themselves as in the day of slaughter. They have destroyed the souls of many….they have shed blood. They have not discerned the body of Christ…His church…and have eaten and drank unworthily….just as Judas did. They have smite the church with their teachings....and are drunk on their covetousness.


(Titus 1:7 KJV) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

They will be replaced by those who will hold fast the faithful, revealed Word that has been taught them from heaven.

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
 
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Chickapee

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wow These are very wonderfully put together Wheeler !
awesome things to consider ..

I also was speaking to some one about covetousness this past week and so this is kind of a double witness to me !

the wine being the innocent blood shed in Babylon double judgment for them

And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus
Rev 16:6For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.


And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
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Rev 17:6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

if it were possible even the very elect would be deceieved
we see how John was deceieved in the religion of the earth ...
Rev 18:6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
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Rev 18:24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
all of rev 18 waiting for the falling of her as Gods judges righteously !!

Thank you for these posts !
Much blessings in Jesus name C ..
 
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Wheeler

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Chickapee, amen! Indeed, covetousness sheds blood...it brings "violence" into the church which is the body of Christ. It brings divisions, confusion, envy, strife, blasphemies, hatred....all the bad stuff.





Thinking more about the wine. There are different uses for “wine” in the Scriptures. One of those uses signifies the covetousness in religious man. When I say “religious man,” I’m speaking about the rich pastors of the church who pursue after the covetousness that is in their hearts. Wine is especially mentioned here in Proverbs 23…..this “wine” is NOT literal…but speaking of the covetousness of man. The “wine”…covetousness…brings woe, sorrow, contentions into the church.

(Prov 23:29 KJV) Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

The fruit of covetousness looks appealing….big church buildings, great ministries, mass marketing of religious goods, big church bank accounts, etc.

31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

But in the last days, it will bite its owners like a serpent….like a stinging adder.

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

The “strange women” are the false doctrines of covetous man…who only seeks after the money and things of the flock. They speak perverse things in order to get them….they preach errors from their covetous hearts.

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

They speak “perverse disputings”…..they suppose “gain is godliness.” Look at those church numbers….God must be with me. NOT SO. They rely on lying signs and wonders…..their success blinds their “eyes”…..being destitute of the Truth.

(1 Tim 6:5 KJV) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Questions in Proverbs : Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? Answer: those who covet after money. They fall into temptation and a snare…..they pierce themselves with many sorrows. They have erred from the faith.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

The Lord warned especially about covetousness. What will a man exchange for his own soul? What profit is there if one gains the whole world and loses his soul?

(Luke 12:15 KJV) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

If the “eye” is evil….if the church pastor and leaders are covetous….then the whole church body will be full of darkness. The "eyes" are the pastors of the church who are to "watch" over the flock of God.


(Mat 6:23 KJV) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Our church leaders can not serve two masters. Yet, we see many today chasing after the covetousness that is in their hearts….their love of money. Not too hard to see that….especially from the outside.

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

In the last days, their “wine” that they are “drunk” on, shall bite them like a serpent….like a stinging adder. The “rich men”….pastors and church leaders….shall howl for their miseries.

(James 5:1 KJV) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

Their riches shall be a witness against them.

3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, 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.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

The things that the rich pastors of the churches lust after shall depart from them. The revealed Truth sets their captives free (the sheep entrusted to them.)

(Rev 18:14 KJV) And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

They had grown rich on the current religious system…..the rich men shall howl for the miseries that will come upon them.

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

The “wine of Babylon”….covetousness….has made the rich pastors and church leaders “drunk”

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

The rich pastors and church leaders are the “kings of the earth”…..the “merchants of the earth.” They have wrested…distorted….the earthly witness of the Scriptures and have deceived the sheep of God. They have grown rich off of their deceptions…..by the corrupting of the earthly witness of the Word of God. They are “drunk” on covetousness…..the wine of Babylon. They have committed fornication with her.

(Rev 18:3 KJV) For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

But, all is not lost for them….they can repent at the hearing of the revealed Word of Truth. The “rich men”….the pastors and church leaders…. are the church of the “Laodiceans”…..which means “people of the judgment.” In this last day, they say they are rich and increased with goods….and have need of nothing. Little do the rich pastors and leaders of the church know that they are just the opposite. Gain is NOT godliness.

(Rev 3:17 KJV) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

The rich pastors are the “eyes” of the church who have been blinded by their riches. If the eye is dark…evil, then the whole church body is full of darkness.



18 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.

The Lord will rebuke and chasten those rich pastors that he loves. But the rich pastor must respond to his rebuke and chastening.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The rich pastors preach for reward….they that seek after “gifts” that have blinded the “eyes.” They pervert the Word of God ….the words of the righteous saints in order to gain their riches. Those rich pastors who chase after their greed (the “wine”) behold “strange women”….strange doctrines….do they preach to the flock of God who believe their words. They speak perverse things by twisting the words of the biblical saints.

(Deu 16:19 KJV) Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Jesus will rebuke and chasten those rich pastors…but will they listen to his counsel in this last day. Will they be like the rich ruler who could not receive his counsel?

(Mark 10:17 KJV) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

The rich pastor can not rely upon his own “righteousness”….he cannot say he has “need of nothing”….that he has no sin. There is no one “good.”

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

The counsel of Jesus to the rich ruler…to the rich pastor…is to sell off all that he has gathered through his deceptive preaching activities. The rich pastors do “lack.” He is to deny his own wisdom and ways in order to preach the revealed Word of Truth. He is to deny himself and follow after Christ Jesus….who is that Truth. Jesus LOVES those rich pastors he rebukes and chastens:

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Yet, as shown, there will be those rich pastors who will go away from the Lord…. “grieved”….in DISTRESS. Distress….miseries….will come upon those who will not deny themselves and follow after him.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

How hard it is for the rich pastor to enter into the kingdom of God. To enter into the kingdom of God is to enter into knowing the mysteries of the Scriptures. …to rule with Christ Jesus….the Truth. Those that can deny themselves ….their own wisdom and ways…can then enter into the mastery of the kingdom of heaven.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!




continued in next post....
 
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Wheeler

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.....continued from previous post.

The turning away from the counsel of the Lord shall “slay” the rich pastor…..their prosperity shall destroy them with many sorrows. Their riches shall testify against them in the last days.

(Prov 1:32 KJV) For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

The rich pastor can enter into the kingdom of God though….the Word of God shall be revealed to those who can turn at the reproof of the Lord. The Word shall be made known unto those who can receive His reproof with joy and repent….change their minds.

(Prov 1:23 KJV) Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

They can be like Zacchaeus….a rich man…..and immediately receive His instruction with JOY….not in grief. He shall come into to our “house” and eat with us if we hear His voice in this last day.

(Luke 19:5 KJV) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

The Lord loves a cheerful giver…instead of what minimum must I do to be saved…without giving up my riches.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

The rich pastor can be saved….if he can receive the rebuke of the Lord with JOY and do the Truth. It shall be credited to him as righteousness…..being the “son of Abraham.”

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The ransom of a rich pastor’s life are his riches. The poor in Spirit that have been deceived by the rich hear not this rebuke….because they are poor. The poor shall be delivered from the rich pastors who will not receive the Lord’s counsel.

(Prov 13:8 KJV) The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The “poor” in Spirit who have been robbed of the fruits of the Spirit by the rich pastors shall have the revealed Word of Truth preached to them.

(Luke 7:22 KJV) Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Blessed is he who is not tripped up by the revealed Word of Truth in the last day.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me
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When the Lord sits on His throne in the heavenly testimony….revealing the Word of God in its heavenly Truth, we are to come to Him.

(Mat 5:1 KJV) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

He will open His mouth to teach us….He will open up the Scriptures to our understanding.

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

The poor in Spirit do not hear the same rebuke as the rich pastors…..for theirs is the kingdom of heaven….the mysteries explained by the teaching of Christ Jesus. BLESSED are the “poor in Spirit”….those that have been taken advantage of by the rich pastors.

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

But WOE to those who are RICH….the rich pastors and church leaders. They will hear the REBUKE and CHASTENING of the Lord. They have received their consolations already.....their grand ministries, their honor of men, their religious empires in this world.


(Luke 6:24 KJV) But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

The rich pastors and church leaders are full now….they laugh now in their religious successes.

25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

The rich pastors and church leaders are looked up to by those within and outside of the churches. All men speak well of those who are successful in their endeavors….in their church empires...in their money gathering successes.

26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

The rich, successful pastors of the churches have many friends….many men speak well of them.

(Prov 14:20 KJV) The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

They are like “Simon” the sorcerer…that bewitched the people. They wrest the Word of God and deceive the people into thinking they are GREAT ONES. Many look at the success of rich pastors and think likewise.


(Acts 8:9 KJV) But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

The rich pastors have used “sorcery”…..corrupting the earthly witness of the Word of God….to which many have given heed. Many rich pastors are consider great men of God…..the “great power of God.”

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to them, many hold them in high regard.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
 
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Wheeler

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One can be rich in this world and still be considered “poor”….you can be a captain of your industry and still fall into the “poor in Spirit” category. Listening and following the wrong pastor (the “rich) can lead you straight to spiritual “poverty.” Listening to the false teachings of denominational man can lead one down the broad path to ruin….to divisions, strife, envying, hatred of one another…..the true poverty. It is the “rich”….the false pastors…who oppress the spiritually “poor.” No matter your income level….no matter your tax bracket…..you can be in the spiritually “poor” bracket. Listening and following the wrong pastor can rob you of the fruits of the Spirit….he can rob those of love for each other….he can steal joy and peace from your spiritual lives.

(Gal 5:22 KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

The “rich” pastor rules over the “poor” of Spirit. The "poor" know no better...they trust in their pastors....that they are there for their best interest.


(Prov 22:7 KJV) The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

The rich pastor exercises his dominion over you. They that are “great” exercise their authority upon the spiritually “poor.”

(Mat 20:25 KJV) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The rich pastor in his pride persecutes the “poor”…by preaching absurdities in order to gain other people’s “gold, silver, or apparel.”

(Psa 10:2 KJV) The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

The rich pastor’s destruction of the spiritually “poor” is his own poverty.

(Prov 10:15 KJV) The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The rich pastor “catches” the poor in Spirit…..he draws them into his “net”…his false teachings. He wrests the Bible in order to support his teachings…..his covetousness.

(Psa 10:9 KJV) He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

By their wresting of the Scriptures, many have been cast down. They have bent their “bow”….their tongues…to speak falsehoods….they have drawn out the sword…their false preaching.

(Psa 37:14 KJV) The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

They are playing for the other team. They are like the chief priests that came to Pilate…..they have a “watch” to keep over the spiritually poor….they have made the “sepulcher” that many are in “sure” and sealed by their false teachings. Not many have escaped from those who are living in error.

(Mat 27:65 KJV) Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

But the Lord comes to deliver the poor in Spirit…those who are in true poverty. He comes to save the souls of the truly “needy”….whom have been caught by the “rich”…. by their deception. They have had no “helper” under their “care.” He will rescue those who have been in the "prison" made and secured by the "rich."


(Psa 72:12 KJV) For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

The rich pastor can change his ways….he can steal no more….and be a preacher of the revealed Truth. He can preach the revealed Word of Truth to those who need it….the spiritually poor and needy. He can stop making merchandise of the “poor and needy.”

(Eph 4:28 KJV) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The “law”….the “instruction”…is for the transgressors.

(Exo 21:16 KJV) And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

The rich pastor stands accused for wasting the Lord’s “goods:”

(Luke 16:1 KJV) And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

But the rich pastor can be wise….and lessen the burdens that he places on the poor. He can preach the revealed Truth. He can stop stealing.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

If one is unfaithful with other people’s money, then who will commit to your trust the TRUE riches…..the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Let the “conversation”….or the “turning” back to God….be without covetousness.

(Heb 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

(Mat 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
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