The bright and morning star...

[orbiter]

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

The Lord comes to open our minds to the Scriptures and we have God’s witness within our very hearts as our heart burns within us with His fire. Let us not quench the Spirit but fan the flames and rejoice in what we hear Him saying. Let us not be found departing from what we hear the Spirit saying with an evil heart of unbelief.... a hardening of the heart.

Luke 24:32-36 KJV
(32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
(33) And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

The Lord IS RISEN indeed and has appeared to “Simon” which means “hearing”.

We hear His voice from heaven and we show we know Him by keeping the “feast” of brotherly love towards those “strangers” whom He sends out to speak His words of spirit and life. Let us remember to let brotherly love continue and entertain strangers and their words….the words of the Lord (the “angels” = the Lord’s words of spirit and life). We must take heed on how we hear and more shall be given.

(34) Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
(35) And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
(36) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

We hear His voice from heaven….

2 Peter 1:16-21 KJV
(16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
(17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

…and we have a more sure word of prophecy of the Scriptures and we do well to take heed to it.

The voice of the Lord causes the light to shine in a dark place…our very own darkened hearts. It is a more sure word…a more sure witness within our very hearts. The “day dawns” and the “day star”…that is, the MORNING STAR…arises in our hearts when we hear His voice. This is the sign of the Son of man who is in heaven as He opens up the Scriptures to our hearing ears and hearts.

(19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

We hear His voice as men are moved by the Holy Spirit to speak His words of life and spirit and those who hear what the Spirit is saying has the witness of the Lord within their own hearts: the rising of the bright and MORNING STAR !

(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.

He sends His messenger ( a fellow brother and servant in the Lord) to testify unto us these things in the churches.

Although we receive the witness of men, the rising bright and morning star is an unmistakable witness of the Son of man in heaven. We hear His voice and the witness of Him is within our very own hearts: the bright and morning star. He is the bright and morning star rising in our hearts and we are to take heed on how we hear.

Revelation 22:16-17 KJV
(16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

We must be found of Him being inviting to a “stranger” (come…. abide) whom He sends out to testify of these things to the called-out.

(17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The 2 disciples who were going toward Emmaus were inviting to the “stranger”…. Jesus: Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Luke 24:27-31 KJV
(27) And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
(28) And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
(29) But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

They kept the feast of brotherly love…

(30) And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
(31) And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Lot was inviting to the two angels…messengers: Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.

Genesis 19:1-3 KJV
(1) And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
(2) And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

He did keep the “feast” of brotherly love…

(3) And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Abraham did entertain strangers…the three men. He was inviting to them: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant.

Genesis 18:1-8 KJV
(1) And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
(2) And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
(3) And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
(4) Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
(5) And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
(6) And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

Abraham served “meat” in due season…..

(7) And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
(8) And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

We must also be ready for in such an hour we think not does the Son of man come. Happy is the faithful and wise servant whom He finds giving meat in due season.

Matthew 24:44-47 KJV
(44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
(46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
(47) Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

God commanded the light to shine out of darkness and has shined in our very own hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 KJV
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
(6) 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.
(7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are to walk as children of the Light while the Light is with us. If we do not believe, then the darkness comes upon us. He that hates his brother walks in darkness.

John 12:35-38 KJV
(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
(36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
(37) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
(38) That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Let us not follow after others who will hear the Spirit but not be found walking in the Light. Let us remember to let brotherly love continue.

Ephesians 5:6-10 KJV
(6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
(7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
(8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
(10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

We were once darkness. We once lived in the churches of men where there is envy, strife, hatred of one another, being deceived, etc. The earth BECAME without form and void as men’s foolish hearts were darkened.

Although God created the heavens and the earth….the invisible things of Him (His eternal power and Godhead) from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that were made …they knew not God nor glorified Him as God neither were thankful but BECAME VAIN in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened. And the earth BECAME without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep…the heart.

Romans 1:19-25 KJV
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(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.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

They change the glory of the incorruptible God for the image made like to corruptible man….that is, MONEY.

The outside world sees the preaching for money going on inside the churches and they blaspheme His holy name when they should be glorifying Him.

Men preaching for money are selling “peace, peace”..doves…where there is none. They are making merchandise of the sheep (the fourfooted beasts) with their deceptive handling of the Word of God for money’s sake. They go after the earthly things….what to eat, what to drink, what to wear. They go upon their own belly that they are serving.

(23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
(24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

They change the truth of God into the lie an worship and serve the ordinance of men more than the Creator. They worship Him in vain while they serve the handwriting of church dogmas more than the Lord's Holy Commandment to have love for one another. They set aside His commandment in order to keep the doctrines and commandments of men.

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

Men’s heart was darkened as we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving many lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Titus 3:1-8 KJV
(1) Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
(2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
(3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But God’s love and kindness toward men appears. His mercy saves us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. We are to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches of men who do not have the knowledge of God.

(4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
(5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
(7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

We were once led astray by false prophets into the churches of men where there is no peace. They lead us away from the Way that leads to His eternal life in this earth and down the broad way to the destruction of our mortal bodies. But the Lord in His kindness, love and mercy saves us from the tribulation of these days.

We hear His voice and the “sign of the Son of man” who is in heaven “appears”…that is, SHINES. That shining of the bright and morning star is within our very hearts. It is the sign within us of the Son of man who is in heaven whose voice we hear.

We who hear and believe shall rejoice when we hear His voice. But the “tribes of the earth” shall mourn. Their joy will turn to gloom.

Matthew 24:29-31 KJV
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The “tribes of the earth” will not deaden their members (tongues) which are upon the earth as they will behave badly towards what they hear. They will mourn what they hear and speak out in evil in their earthly wisdom…in their wrath, malice, blasphemy. They will mourn when others shall believe in what they hear and will not stay in their churches and "buy" what they preach.

Colossians 3:1-8 KJV
(1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
(7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

For those who peddle the Word of God for money’s sake, what they hear will be the savor of death unto death. They will not want to hear His knowledge being made manifest to their ears….yet, there will be many believers who will be departing from their churches giving them grief.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 KJV
(14) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
(16) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
(17) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

The Day shall come upon them unaware….the Day they hear His voice open up the Scriptures to their ears. Those who “dwell on the earth”…dwelling in earthly wisdom: envy, strife, covetousness, hatefulness, etc….shall be caught unawares by a “stranger” that comes across their path and speaks His words to their ears.

They will be found with their hearts overcharged with surfeiting and “drunkenness” (wine of wrath) and the cares of this life. They will be found more worried about getting paid to preach in order to get their earthly needs met …speaking evil against one that comes along speaking His words without charge.

We are to "watch"...awake to His righteousness and "pray"...use meek words towards the hearing of the Son of man in heaven.

Luke 21:33-36 KJV
(33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
(36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

to be continued...

 

[orbiter]

“Pray to have me excused….”

A “stranger” will come along on a day we do not expect and will speak His words of life and spirit to our ears. Some will hear and be too distracted to patiently sit down and listen to His words. They will make light of it and go their way and will never be able to enter in to His understanding.

Happy are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb….being invited to hear the true sayings of God as our Lord comes to give us an understanding (the “supper”)so that we may know Him who is true. We are invited to the “supper” where we dine upon the meat of the Truth …the bread of heaven. Yet MANY are invited but few are chosen.

We show we know Him by letting brotherly love continue…being hospitable to strangers sent out by Him to speak the true sayings of God (the holy angels). We are to remember to keep the “feast” of brotherly love as we hear His voice.

He comes to open up our minds to the Scriptures and we are to hear what the Spirit is saying and be found keeping His daily sacrifice (the Lamb)….putting on Christ…putting on the “wedding clothes” of the supper.

Revelation 19:9 KJV
(9) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

MANY are invited but few are chosen to eat the bread of heaven in the kingdom of God. Those who hear His voice rejoice in what they hear. They are happy...blessed.

Luke 14:15-27 KJV
(15) And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
(16) Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Some who are bidden to come to the “supper” of the hearing of the true sayings of God will begin to make excuses for not attending. They have a great many other things to do rather than take the time to sit down and hear the words of the Lord. In their lack of patience, they just move on to what they are preoccupied with and will make light of a “stranger’s” words.

(17) And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
(18) And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

“I pray you have me excused”….. “ I beg of you to have me excused” from hearing the Word of God spoken in truth and sincerity as I have other things to do rather than take the time to sit down and listen. “I cannot come”.

(19) And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
(20) And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
(21) So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
(22) And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
(23) And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

NONE of those who are bidden to the “supper” and are found making excuses for not listening shall taste of the Word of Truth. They shall not enter in to His understanding. They shall not know the mysteries of the kingdom.

We cannot then be His “disciple” which means “pupil, learner”. We won’t learn anything from Him as we do not listen in our distraction by a great many other things of this life as we make light of it and go our own way.

(24) For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
(25) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
(26) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

And again, we see this in Matthew 22 where the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king which made a marriage for His Son.

Matthew 22:1-14 KJV
(1) And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
(2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

His servants are sent out by Him to call them that are bidden to the wedding and they would not come.

(3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
(4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

All things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But some will make “light of it” and go their ways. They will cross paths with His servant one day and will carelessly make light of what they say and go on about their ways. The Son of man came on a day that they were not expecting and they did make “light of it” and moved on. Some will continue to build their churches and continue making merchandise of people. Business as usual.

(5) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Yet others will do even worse. They will take His servants sent out by Him to speak the “true sayings of God” and will treat them spitefully and “slay” them with their malicious words…speaking evil of them. Whoever hates his brother is a “murderer” and no murderer has eternal life abiding in them.

(6) And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
(7) But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

MANY are called but few are chosen.

(8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
(9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
(10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
(11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
(12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
(13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(14) For many are called, but few are chosen.

We see the distractions of this life in Martha who was just too busy with a great many of things to sit down at the “feet” of Jesus and hear His words. She was a believer as she received Jesus in her house. So many Christians today will also be in the same boat as Martha…distracted and anxious by a great many things so that they do not take the time to listen.

Luke 10:38-42 KJV
(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

But Mary chose that which was good and sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word. She had the patience to cease from her own ways and thoughts to sit down and listen.

(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Even though Martha was a believer (as she received Jesus into her house) , those who follow after her are “careful and troubled” about many things and will be too distracted to sit down and listen. They will lose out.

(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The Word falls among the thorns and when they hear His Word they go forth and are distracted by the world. They make light of what they hear and go their way and the cares of this life choke out what they heard in the first place. They lose out.

Luke 8:14-15 KJV
(14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But like Mary, that which falls on the good heart shall hear the Word and KEEP it and bring forth the fruit of righteousness with PATIENCE.

(15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

We must take heed how we HEAR for whosoever has, to him shall be given and whosoever does not have, from him shall be take even that which he seemed to have. If we carelessly listen and make light of it and “go our way”, then the cares of this life shall choke out even what we heard.

Luke 8:18 KJV
(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

We must take heed on how we hear and sit at the “feet” of Jesus who sends out His servants to speak His words to our hearing ears. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the good news of peace and bring tidings of good things. Faith comes by HEARING and HEARING by the Word of God.

Romans 10:14-17 KJV
(14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

The Son of man comes at an hour we are not expecting. A “stranger” comes on a day we are not expecting speaking His good news to our ears. When we cross paths with such a stranger, how we be found of Him responding to their words? Will we be too distracted to sit down and listen? Will we be found indifferent…lukewarm? Will be full of anger at what is said?

The “strangers”…His servants…. are SENT by Him as opposed to false prophets who come in their own authority preaching themselves. Those who preach for a paycheck are preaching themselves and do not come in the authority of the Lord as they do not follow His commandment to NOT take things to collect money in (scrip, purse). False prophets flatter men in order to get gain….they “salute”men by the way.

(15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

But not all who passively hear will obey the good news. Not all will believe the report of those whom He truly sends.

(16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We must actively HEAR. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches…the called out. We must be found of Him truly hearing.

Revelation 3:6 KJV
(6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. That which may be known of God is manifest in mankind for God has showed it unto them. 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.

Genesis 1:1-5 KJV
(1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The earth BECAME without form and void. Men became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Without form = without righteousness . “Void” = without knowledge of God.

But the kindness, love, mercy, grace of our great God is shown to us. He delivers us from this darkness. The Spirit of God moves upon the face of the waters. Men speak as they are moved by the Holy Spirit and we are to hear what the Spirit is saying.

(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.

And God said, “let there be light”. It is the Word of God that we hear spoken in truth and sincerity...in the Spirit of truth.

He commands the light to shine out of the darkness of our hearts and we are to be found responding to that light with light….and “there was light”. While we have the light, we are to become children of the light…walking in the light and not be of the darkness by responding with bad behavior.

(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.

We must be found children of the Day. We are to take heed to what we hear as the light shines in the dark place of our hearts....the evening and the morning...as the morning star rises in our hearts when we hear His voice.

(5) And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

We are not of the “night” nor of the darkness when we “watch” and are sober. We are to be found “awake” to His righteousness. He finds us responding to the Light within our hearts (let there be light) with light (and there was light)….becoming children of light.

Some will be found “sleeping” in the “night” ….asleep to His commandments as they will respond to what they hear with the wine of wrath, indifference, fear, etc.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-9 KJV
(5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

Those who are of the Day will put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet….the hope of salvation. They become children of the Day. They respond to the light with light by becoming children of the light..

(8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
(9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Again, men of God speak (present tense) as they are moved by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, “let there be light”….as the light shines in a dark place…our own hearts. The “evening and the morning”.

The DAY dawns as the MORNING STAR rises in our very own hearts. This is the sign of the Son of man who is in heaven when we hear His voice interpreting the Scriptures in the Spirit to our hearing ears. Let him who has ears, hear what the Spirit is saying.

2 Peter 1:19-21 KJV
(19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters as holy men of God speak as they are moved by the Holy Spirit.

(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.

As God divided the Light from the darkness…we must not be unequally yoked with those of the darkness in their churches. They will not believe in what they hear and will behave badly towards what they hear the Spirit saying to the churches.

What communion does light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
(14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Let him who has ears , let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The “firmament” is “EXPANSE”. We must be found actively HEARING….the expanse. We must make room…an EXPANSE…to hearing His words. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God….” And God SAID…”

The believers shall be divided from the unbelievers of the churches by the HEARING of the Word of God. The believers shall have an EXPANSE in their hearing….let him who has ears, let him HEAR (the firmament) what the Spirit is saying (the Spirit of God moves upon the face of the waters….men of God speak as they are moved by the Spirit).

Genesis 1:6-8 KJV
(6) And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
(7) And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

What we hear the Spirit saying is from HEAVEN.

(8) And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Men of God preach the good news unto our hearing ears with the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. What we hear in our expanded hearing is from heaven itself. The “firmament” is called “heaven”.

1 Peter 1:12-16 KJV
(12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

We must be children of the Day…being found obedient children…and not be of the Night .

(14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

Those who are of the waters from above hear God. Those who are of below are of the spirit of error and will not hear what the Spirit of Truth is saying to their ears.

1 John 4:4-8 KJV
(4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
(6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
(7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
(8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.


John 8:23-27 KJV
(23) And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
(24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(25) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
(26) I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
(27) They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

 

[orbiter]

The “firmament” is an EXPANSE…an expanse in our hearing ears as those who have ears to hear are to expand their hearing when they hear His voice…the Spirit…speaking. Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. EXPAND our hearing by taking heed on how we hear the Spirit speaking and more shall be given.

Genesis 1:6-8 KJV
(6) And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Those who are of God shall hear what the Spirit is saying and those who are from below (the world) will not hear for these things are spiritually discerned. We must live by the Spirit so that we may understand. The natural man who acts on in his earthly wisdom (envy, strife, covetousness, hatred, wrath, etc) shall not hear and understand. He will think that the spiritual things are foolish when he hears them.

Instead, the natural man will continue to listen to his church doctrines and commandments of men and be found honoring his church pastors and church fathers over God in this coming time. When we hear the music (the praising of God), let us not be found bowing down to man's religious institutions where there is no righteousness and no knowledge of God to be found.

(7) And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

What we hear the Spirit saying is straight from Heaven and the rising of the Light in our dark hearts (the evening and the morning) is the sign of the Son of man who is in heaven whose voice we hear from heaven. He is the bright and morning star...the sun of righteousness arising in our very own hearts and we are to take heed on how we hear.

(8) And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

We are to stretch out our hearing ears (EXPANSE) and hear the words of the wise and apply our heart unto His knowledge.

In Proverbs 22:17: “Bow down” = Hebrew word “nâṭâh” which means “to stretch or spread out”.

Your “ear” = Hebrew word “'ôzen” which means “broadness” and comes from the word “'âzan” which means “to expand”. We are to stretch out our hearing ears….the expanse...the firmament.

Proverbs 22:17-19 KJV
(17) Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
(18) For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
(19) That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Those who are of God shall hear God’s words . And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Those who are from below ...of this world... are not of God and will NOT be found hearing the true sayings of God. Those who are of God shall hear and be found DOING His commandments.

John 8:47 KJV
(47) He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

And God said, Let there be lights in the “firmament” (our expanded hearing) to divide the day from the night. Those who are of the Day …the children of the day…shall DO His commandments and those of the Night shall not do them.

Genesis 1:14-19 KJV
(14) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
(15) And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
(16) 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.
(19) And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

God made 2 great lights: the 2 greatest commandments and set them in our hearing...the firmament of heaven as we hear the Spirit from heaven and are found DOING His commandments.

Mark 12:28-34 KJV
(28) And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

God set the 2 great lights in the “firmament” of heaven….HEAR O ISRAEL……the Lord our God is one Lord. We must be united with Him by DOING His commandments. We are not to be hearers only but DOERS of His commandments. True hearing is DOING.

(29) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

The “greater” light is the first of all commandments to love the Lord our God with all of our heart and soul and mind.

(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the “lesser light” is to love our neighbors as ourselves. These great lights is fulfilling the law and the prophets. it is hearing and be found DOING His commandments.

(31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
(32) And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
(33) And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Day four of the creation account describes the government of God in our lives…the reign of God…the kingdom of God. We who HEAR His voice will DO His commandments. True hearing is DOING.

(34) And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.

If we truly HEAR and DO His commandments, ALL men in this dark world (the night) shall know we are His disciples (learners) if we have love for one another.

John 13:34-35 KJV
(34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
(35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

If we love each other (without murmuring and disputing with one another), then we shall be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom we shine as lights in this dark world.

The lesser light rules the night. He made the stars also. We are the stars that DO His commandments in order to shine as lights in the night of this world.

Philippians 2:14-15 KJV
(14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
(15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

To be continued…

 

[orbiter]

The 2 great lights set in the firmament of the heaven (in our expanded HEARING of the Spirit sent from Heaven…as we hear His voice from Heaven) are for “signs, and for seasons, and for days and years”.

Genesis 1:14 KJV
(14) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

They are for “signs”……as we are to bind them for a sign upon our hand ….and they shall be as frontlets between our eyes. We are to REMEMBER to always DO His commandments . The hand represents DOING His commandments. Doing His commandments are a sign upon our hand of our FAITH. Faith without good works (HIS righteousness and not ours) is dead.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 KJV
(4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
(9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

We must be hearers and DOERS of the Word …the Saying.

James 1:21-26 KJV
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
(23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
(24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes….. We must LOOK continuously into the perfect law of liberty and not be a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the work. If we do this, we shall be blessed in our deed…..fruitful seasons. They are for “seasons”…fruitfulness in this earth.

(25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
(26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

We believe that there is one God.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.

But so do the devils and they shudder with fear.

James 2:17-26 KJV
(17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
(18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. We have faith and good WORKS to show as evidence of that faith. Faith without good works is dead. These works are HIS works of righteousness and not our own.

(19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
(21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Good works (His righteousness) completes our faith.

(22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
(23) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
(24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
(25) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
(26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We are to hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God AND KEEP His commandments. We are to REMEMBER to always DO His commandments.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 KJV
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The "dead" church has faith but their works are not found perfect before God. Good works completes our faith.


Revelation 3:1-2 KJV
(1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
(2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.


To be continued….

 

[Tolworth John]

Jesus said, If you LOVe ME you will keep my commandments.
Christianity is about loving God and seeking to serve him.

 

[RaymondG]

Enjoy reading your passages. Tell me....are you suggesting that going to church buildings is wrong and should be avoided....or just that going to the building will not help salvation? Also are you referring to meditation at all in your texts regarding "hearing?"

 

[orbiter]

Hi Raymond,

Peace brother. Thanks for reading and considering.

Regarding meditation : “ Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all”.

In case you or anyone is wondering , this is what I am doing in here: giving attendance to public reading of the Scriptures…to exhortation…to doctrine until the Lord comes as a shining light in the hearts of those who may hear. It is an open “meditation” of the Scriptures and it is the “hearing” of the Spirit through this “exercise”… for lack of a better word.

1 Timothy 4:12-16 KJV
(12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
(13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
(14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
(15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
(16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Regarding a church building…..It’s about who we are sitting together with in those church buildings.

Many are retailing the Word of God in order to get paid. They are preaching themselves as they mind earthly things: how to get paid in order to get their earthly needs met…what to eat, what to drink, what to wear. They are preaching the doctrines and commandments of men for money’s sake.

2 Corinthians 2:17 KJV
(17) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

We must not sit together with them.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV
(9) I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
(10) Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
(11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
(13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Paul showed the overseers ALL things. His own hands labored in order to minister unto his own necessities. He was a tentmaker. If we follow this example of working with our own hands to support our own earthly needs, then we should be able to understand the Scriptures so that we may spiritually feed the church of God.

Acts 20:28-35 KJV
(28) 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.
(32) 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.

Paul did not covet after another man’s silver, gold or apparel. He did not preach while yearning after these things from those whom he preached to.

(33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

His own hands ministered unto his own necessities. And those overseers of the church who are with him also do this while they feed the flock.

(34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35) I have shewed 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.

This is how we are to be “followers together” of Paul: work at our own job outside of the church in order to meet our own earthly needs so that we may truly feed the people with the Word of God ….in truth and sincerity.

Philippians 3:17-19 KJV
(17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

MANY do not “walk” with him in this as they preach for a paycheck received from their congregations. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ for they do not understand the good news of Christ for the here and now. Their “god” is their belly that they are preaching to literally feed. The shepherds are only literally feeding themselves and not the flock spiritually as they have no understanding.

(18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
(19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

If the good news is hid, it is hid to those who are perishing as the “god of this world”…their belly that they are serving for….has blinded their minds lest the glorious good news of Christ who is the image of God should irradiate them. They cannot understand the Scriptures because of this. Paul showed them how to truly feed the flock...by working with their own hands to support their own earthly necessities. Those who are sent by the Lord are "servants" as they work with their own hands in order to give the flock the Word of God in truth and sincerity. Others preach themselves for a paycheck as they come in their own authority and not following His directions to "freely give" as they have freely received.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 KJV
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
(6) 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.

We are commanded in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to withdraw ourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the transmission which we have received of the apostles of Christ as they labored night and day with their own hands so as not to be chargeable to anyone.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 KJV
(6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

They did not eat any man’s bread for nothing but worked with their own hands to support their own earthly needs.

(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

The apostles of Christ had the power to get paid to preach but they did forgo that power so that we today may follow after their example of working with our own hands to support our own necessities rather than go to church and preach for a paycheck. We must not be working at “church”.

(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

If any man does not obey this saying by this letter, we are to note that man and have NO COMPANY with him. Yet, we are not to count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.

(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
(16) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Paul worked with his own hand to support himself.

(17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

 

[orbiter]

Thanks for reading....and considering it!

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying and be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to wrath.

If we are angry at what we hear, sin not….that is, don’t speak out in that wrath. The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. Don’t let the “sun go down” upon our wrath.

Ephesians 4:26-27 KJV
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.

Jesus is the bright and morning star within our hearts as He speaks to us from heaven. Yet a little while is the light with us. We are to walk while we have the light within us lest the darkness comes upon us. Don't let the "sun go down" upon our wrath.

John 12:35-37 KJV
(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While we have the light shining in our hearts, we are to believe in the light so that we may be children of light...doing His righteousness towards His voice.

IF we do not believe then Jesus departs and hides Himself from us. He conceals the light. The “sun” withdraws and the darkness comes. The sun goes down in our hearts and what a great darkness that will be to those who will not believe.

(36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

He had did so many “miracles”…that is, signs…before them (in their presence), yet they did not believe INTO Him. We believe into Jesus as His life within us shall appear outwardly.

(37) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

The sign of the Son of man in Heaven is the rising of His light within our very hearts when we hear His voice from heaven. It is the "evening and the morning" as His light shines in a dark place...our hearts. We are to hear His voice and believe in the light so that we may become children of the light.

Again, God set the 2 great lights in the firmament of the heaven (our hearing of His voice from Heaven) and they are for “signs, and for seasons and for days and years”. The 2 greatest commandments are set in our hearing so that we DO them and give light to this dark world.

They are for “seasons”…fruitful seasons.

Genesis 1:14 KJV
(14) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

The 4th day speaks of the reign of God….the kingdom of God…of which we are to seek first in our lives.

We are to seek FIRST the kingdom of God (His reign in our lives by doing His commandments) and His righteousness (good works) and the earthly things shall be added unto us.

Matthew 6:31-34 KJV
(31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

If we hear DILIGENTLY unto His commandments…..to love the LORD our God and to serve Him with all of our heart and with all of our soul then He shall give us the rain of our land (earth) in his due season…..

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 KJV
(13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
(14) That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
(15) And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

The lights in the firmament of heaven are for days and years. If we KEEP His commandments, they will add to us length of days and long life…or in Hebrew, YEARS of life. This is the eternal life in this earth.

We are to live for Jesus is alive now and forever more. We are to live His eternal life in this earth …being His many infallible proofs in this world that Jesus is truly alive in Heaven as we live His appearing life in our mortal flesh. His life within us shines from the heart and eventually outwardly in our mortal flesh….and when His life appears, we appear with Him in glory. Christ within, the hope of His appearing glory as this dark world shall see it. We make the Word flesh by DOING it so that His glory appears and the world shall see it and praise God in heaven.

Proverbs 3:1-3 KJV
(1) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

The lights set in the firmament of heaven are for days and years....length of days and years of life....eternal life....as the days of Heaven upon the earth.

(2) For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
(3) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

“What shall I do to inherit ETERNAL LIFE” ?

Luke 10:25-28 KJV
(25) And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
(26) He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

The “lawyer” recites the 2 lights from the beginning. ….the 2 greatest commandments.

(27) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And Jesus answered that he had answered correctly. DO THIS AND YOU SHALL LIVE…. as the 2 lights in the firmament of the Heaven are for “days and for years”: they shall add length of days and years to our lives….the ETERNAL LIFE of Jesus so that we may give light …His light…to this earth.

(28) And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

We are to be the “stars” who do His commandments so that they may see. We show forth the Word of life. We are to lead others to His righteousness…to give light upon THIS earth.

Genesis 1:14-15 KJV
(14) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
(15) And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

His commandments are for eternal life…so that our days may be prolonged upon this earth. Our days shall be multiplied in the land (this earth) as the DAYS OF HEAVEN upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 11:18-22 KJV
(18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
(19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
(21) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
(22) For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

His commandments are for days and years as they shall prolong our days IN THIS EARTH.

Deuteronomy 6:1-6 KJV
(1) Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
(2) That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

They are for seasons…as the earth shall flow with milk and honey if we hear and observe to DO it.

(3) Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

We are to fear God and keep His commandments....this is the conclusion of the whole matter.

(4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Again, they shall prolong our lives….eternal life…upon this earth that we are to possess. We shall LIVE. as Jesus said: do this and live.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 KJV
(32) Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
(33) Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

If we forget the LORD, then we are destroyed from off the face of this earth.

Deuteronomy 6:12-19 KJV
(12) Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
(13) Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
(14) Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
(15) (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
(16) Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

We are to keep His testimonies and not be found striving (Massah = testing) against what we hear.

(17) Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

We are to go in and possess this earth…the good land.

(18) And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
(19) To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.

If we hear His voice today speaking to us in Heaven (the Holy Spirit speaks), then we are not to be found hardening our hearts just as those people did in the desert. They tested Him by murmuring against Him with an evil heart of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:7-18 KJV
(7) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
(8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
(9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
(10) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
(11) So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
(12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
(13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
(14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
(15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Some heard and did provoke. Let us not forget the past of those who did provoke who are written for us as examples of what not to do. Those who forget are in danger to repeat the same mistakes.

(16) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
(17) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
(18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?