The Spirit gives us in this passage. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;" (Re.19:17-18). The Spirit sets an angel in the sun, which refers to the sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ.
All promises of God are yea and amen in him. So the narrative mode of the Spirit has its own color and shape. As with He.11:3 there are only two worlds framed by the word of God. So mountains of Israel are interchangeable as Jerusalem is a stand-in for New Jerusalem. In order to avoid confusion the Spirit also sets additional safeguard in the usage of numbers. The number Seven is a command number made up of 4+3. Four establishes the Word, which was with God and the Law. Number Three is a tag for the Son. The number assigned to the beast 666, He is a man in whom there is no place the word of God to work with. He is established as the son of perdition.
The Spirit uses fractions, which have its own purpose. "And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee,"(39:2) One sixth, one fourth and one third for instance. The Spirit gives the tag of condemnation, "Of sin, because they believe not on me" (John16:9) The beast did not believe in the Son, - his body, spirit and soul included. The classic example is in the image, "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon."(Dan.3:1) Numbers Six and Ten dominate here. Width is six cubits and height is ten times as much. It was set up on the earth. (2 of 2)
"Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken."
This is the day we have had come across in the Book of Psalms. (Ps.2:7) In these posts we have been going over the conspiracy of the kings which are many conflicts from one to the other breaking out without a final resolution but the Holy Spirit gives a pluperfect sentence, In short we are looking at event leading us to the final struggle in which the beast and his false prophet shall be taken and thrown into the lake of fire. Those who throw in their lot with the powers that be shall share their fate. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed."
The Spirit gives cues as to how we should look at the events. Jesus towards the end of his ministry warned of apostasy in the church and backsliding, " And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many./ And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."(Matt.24:11-13) We have been called before the worlds began and we have no other assurance than that the Son has sacrificed himself in order to perfect us. The politics of this day is in flux and shall leave their followers high and dry." But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
"Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured." Here the Spirit gives us the cue to follow track of the word of God, which in this case is a prophesy. What is a prophesy without its fulfillment?. The Spirit gives us in this passage. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;" (Re.19:17-18).
The army of the kings of the east bear a tag, 200x1000x1000 These two sets refer to the period during which Satan is bound over. So latter days and latter years mentioned in Ch.38 necessitate this. "In the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword. This is different from the latter days." But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."(Dan.12:13)
Number 10 refers to the Decalogue and Judgment of God. The red dragon had 10 horns indicating power and authority, "having seven heads and ten horns," Similarly the beast also has the same. (Re.13:1,12:3)
The number 20 (10x2) refers to sinning against God and his holiness signifying the Son, The Prodigal Son refers how he may reconcile with his Father "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee."( Luke 15:18) Joseph was sold by his brethren to the Ishmaelites, 'who took him to Egypt,' and the sum was 20 shekels of silver.(Ge.37:28) This continues in the trespass offering. (Le.5:14-16) This 20 shekels in the case of Joseph signifies their trespass against God and Joseph who was set down as the double for the Son. Also significant is that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (10x3) The command number 3 refers to the Son.
they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again."(Ex.10:13- NIV). St John gives us a clue to the nature of the army that Gog mustered in the battle. The locusts are unclean spirits different from what went into attack in the Book of Exodus. In Ez.38:4 we see them. Compare them what St John is telling us. "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men./ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions./ And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle."(9:7-9)
Ezekiel mentions the name Togarmah can be identified with the Phrygians as was Ashkenaz.
"Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee." (38:6)
In order to understand the role of the scorpions consider this verse, "And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months."(9:10) We have the clue in the idiomatic expression of Parthian shot, the ancient Parthian cavalry's habit of shooting arrows rearward at the enemy while in real or feigned flight.
St John gives a number to this army which as with 144,000 are intended as tags "And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." (9:16)
12x12 refers to gospel. This multiplied by 1000 gives us the first fruits "These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."(Re.14:4)
"Thus saith the Lord God; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?"
"A Great Army"
Prophets prophesied 'in those days' refer to the books for instance we have Daniel and he writes thus,"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."(Dan.12:1)
Our concern here is to present the passage in the two chapters of Ezekiel and it is clear that it is God who is in control. He has already got hooks into the jaw of Gog. Pharoah is similarly treated in so we shall include Egypt falling into that great army and their judgment is all same. "And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:"(38:4)
Their place is to be thrown 'to be lain with the uncircumcised. "Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit."(32:18-26)
In order to make sense of this expression, "Go down into the pit' we need to understand the book of the Revelation. The Ch.9 presents the Vision of Abaddon. By command from heaven the angel opens the bottomless pit "and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace".
This is a cue for the locusts and the scorpions' to emerge from under the earth. Locusts serve as one of the plagues visiting Egypt. "So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the Lord made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts;" (1 of 3)
"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."(Je.17:5) River Euphrates is thus dried up and it was determined before their ways strayed from His holiness and the Word.
In the vision of the Book bound with Seven Seals (Re.5) we find only the Lamb was found worthy to open the seals which are part of the judgment. The seven angels with seven trumpets are not blowing them all at once. The seven is indication that each aspect as judgment is distributed over the day appointed for the Son. Thus we have four angels associated with the river as in the following passage. "Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates./ And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men./ And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." (Re.9:14-16)
It is thus we need approach the following verses "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land./ Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord God."
"In that day" is a phrase often employed by the Holy Spirit to indicate the day decreed for the Son.
"The day that I shall be glorified" refers to the day of regeneration.
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves..: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog."
The valley bears another name, which is more revealing especially considering from where the enemies to Christ are coming. This valley is called "the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea.". In the Book of the Revelation we have the name the River Euphrates is used which is relevant to the occasion. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."(Re.16:12) Notice the significance of the tag Six used by the Holy Spirit. We shall come to it anon. God sent a river to water the Garden of Eden and gives us two rivers both of which are continuation of blessings from the waters from above the firmament. God blessed us with all spiritual blessing in his Son. Thus we have the third river named Hiddekel and the fourth the River Euphrates. "And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates."(Ge.2:14) The command number Three refers to the Son. Drying up the River is a signal of divine Judgment. The kings of the east are led to their doom for which this valley is sign. (39:15)
On the other hand we have the 'open valley' in the vision of the dry bones in Ez.37
In Ez.38:3-6 Gog is presented with names familiar with the history of the nation of Israel "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:" They made the flesh their arms and as Jeremiah speaks of such they are accursed. When they cannot appreciate the long suffering nature of God, his mercy it is a sure indication that their heart has departed from God. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man," (1 of 2)
In Ch.37 the Spirit shows the prophet an army of dry bones and calls them Israel. "These bones are the whole house of Israel." He goes on to add, "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel." (Ez.37:11-12) Bringing into the land of Israel refers to New Jerusalem and not the geographical Jerusalem. Who has bewitched Christians to resist the truth? By rejecting the Son of man their city was razed to the ground. Now what is left there is in spiritual terms is Sodom or Egypt. (Re.11:8) The Land of Magog refers to this. Whereas we are following the author and finisher of our faith who as the Lamb is shown standing on mount Sion, -"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,"(He.12:22-23)
Who were the wise men from the east, and by tradition they are kings. "We three kings of Orient are' . Be that as it may they escaped judgment."(Matt.2:1-2). They paid heed to the dream, "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."(2:13) The Spirit used this in order to show these kings of the east paid heed to the Spirit as he warns everyone of us whenever we go astray. See how great many are caught in their own snares because they wanted to do as they pleased,"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end./ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction." (Ps.73:17-18)
"Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them." (v.7)
Prophet Ezekiel is referring to the kings of the east and his warning to them is juxtaposed by Jesus warning his disciples. " Behold, I have told you before./ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not./ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."(Matt.24:25-28)
Gog is associated with the land of Magog. "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,"
We have already discussed the world made to appear by the word of God refers to the earth for this reason the Preacher reminds us that it abides for ever. (Ec.1:4) The earth and the fulness thereof belong to him. (Ps.24:1) So where did this Gog and Magog come from? 'Thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee' are mercenaries brought by Satan. The devil sins from the beginning and John tells us why Jesus had to manifest. He shall destroy the works of Satan. It is thus the events in present world are gravitating inexorably into two camps. So Jesus speaking of many false christs rising it is a sure sign that it is time for the saints redeemed from the earth to be prepared.
It is in this context we considered the quails sent by an east wind was not merely about the nation of Israel loathing manna in the wilderness. The feathered fowl was a symbol. 'Christ in us' is also our spiritual food as Jesus taught us. Doing the will of God should be our meat and drink. So lusting for meat was tantamount to loathing the angel's food. Here we see the slippery path to their destruction as a nation. They are synonymous with the land of Magog.
In Ch.37 the Spirit shows the prophet an army of dry bones (1 of 2)
"Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" This refers to God breathing into the nostrils of Adam. These dry bones became living soul so bone joins to one another. "there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."(v.7)
But what v.9 refers altogether new! "Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live./ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."(vv.9-10) . Evidently the baptism of the Holy Spirit renders every believer part of this army.
This army we find following the rider on the white horse in the Book of the Revelation. 'And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses". It is thus our battles are fought in the world of the Spirit. Our battle is not with flesh and blood.
Bones do not carry labels but are as one,-the one gospel of God. So what does this verse signify? "Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel."
Ministry of reconciliation by his Son explains 'the whole Israel' is interchangeable with body of Christ. The allegory of two sticks becoming one in the hand refers to Jesus Christ the King of kings, lord of lords. " And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd:" He leading them to the living waters we have this verse," Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."(Re.22:17)
The promise of God is, "Ask of me" Our possession can be only in the Son."Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."(v.8)
The prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John gives the fulfillment of this. Especially the vv.20-24. "That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world./ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me."( John 17:24-25) So knowing that God sent his Son is one part but we have to be made perfect for which we have to abide in him. " in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;" He who has the Son has the Father as well. This is the church in eternity, the body of Christ.
The bone from Adam led to the creation of Eve, and the Spirit sets her as a symbol for this church in eternity. A close study of the Vision of Dry Bones (Ez.37) shall help us understand the ongoing church- building is in the world of the Spirit as much as the Spirit of Christ working with human agencies on the earth.
'The open valley' is a clue for us to include the two worlds as one. "And, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. "(37:2) Ezekiel is not required to prophesy to what is in the mind of God. So we have to take the lead of the Spirit and see the church how these dry bones may put on flesh and sinews "And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord."(37:8)
Second point is in the matter of breath. Of this v.9 is different than v.3. "Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" This refers to God breathing into the nostrils of Adam. These dry bones became living soul so bone joins to one another. (1 of 2)
." Look at the history of mankind in order to see what carnal wisdom has given the world.
" But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth./ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish./ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."(Jas.4:14-16)
How did Constantine1 transform the early church but in strife and in his sensual pride? The history of his reign gives us ample evidence where he promoted heresies and set differing camps of Orthodoxy against heresies fight it out? There was 'confusion and every evil work.' The pagan Empire was all iron and the church bought by the blood of Jesus Christ after the State had got into the act was miry clay. This is devilish since it is steered by foolish shepherds with their carnal wisdom. Before this state of evil work could go further God shall step in, and we are seeing the curl of a tsunami shaping up.
God has not changed his doctrine because the churches are all led helter-skelter by reason than faith. We see a great army of dry bones. The Spirit presents them as a vision meaning they exist only in the divine Will or the world of the Spirit. God shall use these dry bones to control the events narrated in the ch.38.
"Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him," This we shall discuss in the coming post, which concludes our meditations on the psalm.
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings" We are called to be priests and kings. So we shall discuss the kind of wisdom we ought to cultivate. In Jesus Christ is the fulness so we shall learn of him. As the true and faithful witness he can be the only way, the truth and the life. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,/ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Re.1:5-6)
The Spirit has presented Adam as a stand-in for the Son. The deep sleep of Adam refers to the death of Jesus Christ. Till his Advent we have several heroes of faith and each of them reveal an aspect of the Son. God fashions the woman from one of his ribs, and how does Adam respond?
"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man./ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (Ge.2:22-23) Whence did his knowledge come from? Isn't it from God and he thought as His son. ( Luke 2:38) The Spirit makes him as a double for the Son where wisdom from heaven is freely given to him. It is for this reason God commanded him not to eat of the fruit of the tree. As son of God knowledge of good and evil was superfluous. His sin was in obeying the doctrine of Satan. As a son and as the double for his Son diobedience was no option. For wisdom from heaven to work in anyone the condition is to be led by Jesus Christ.
Wisdom from heaven is to be led by the word of God. It creates peace all around. 'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
Once the reverence for God and his word was gone what was left? "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works./ Therefore their days did he consume in vanity," (78:32-33). This is plain addiction. Overindulgence and craving are signs of a consumer society given to be consumed in vanity. In a permissive society man degrading so love is more a bondage. Are we being tricked or are we free citizens exercising healthy appetites, given by God?
Fools rely solely in their rational faculties, which is under the department of 'wisdom of this world'. In the Four horsemen figuring in the vision of St John what have we coming in the rear?
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."(Re.6:8) Jesus Christ the rider on the white horse is pre-eminent in all things so we see him ahead of the cavalcade. By his death and resurrection Jesus Christ overcame death so we ought not be afraid. We are secure. "All things were created by him, and for him:/And he is before all:/And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."(Col.1:16-17)
'With the beasts of the earth' Hell following death gives pestilence a place. Does anyone by reason foresee pandemic as they hit us?
"And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit./ And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power./And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. (Re.9:2-5)
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth./ Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
Salvation is in none other than in the Son who is the heir of all things. The two worlds framed by God reveals faith which is one; the other is the word of God. The Word of God, as the Law or the constitution is a sound as well as a sign. In short the world made to appear is a sign. Jesus Christ as the slain Lamb, the Lamb of God and the Throne of God and of the Lamb are all one and the same.(He.11:3)
"If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it." (Pr.9:12) The Spirit has given us the God document, the Bible is inerrant. So you cannot cut and paste passages from Scripture to make the nation of Israel as the central plank for your religion and practice. Jesus Christ, who of God is become our Savior Lord so all our glory should be in him. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:/ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."(1 Co.1:30-31)
"Judge not, that ye be not judged./ For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."(Matt.7:1-2) God is the God of both poor and rich and absolutely impartial. "Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:/For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them." (Pr.22:22-23)
As with man so with His creation. " Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."(Matt.10:29) The Spirit instructs how Israel murmured against divine Providence. "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."(Ps.78:18).
Good Question Daruled, and welcome to this forum. I'll let others speak to your question for now. may you be blessed by those who reply to your question.
How this placement of the Levites among the people typifies Christ who resides with His people and ever makes intercession for us to the Father. How dependable He is and how intimate is His priestly work for us. He knows what is going on in each of our lives, being ever-present and everywhere present. His ministry far exceeds that of the priest of Israel. They, being sinful, became corrupted with greed, pride, and puffed up. They became self-righteous and did not want to "mingle" with the unclean common folk. They added requirements to the law, amending what God decreed, and inserted traditions that led people further away for God rather than helping them draw near to God and practice service and worship to God that is according to what God has stated to be righteous. They became burdensome to the people rather than Jesus, who said to take His yoke upon us, which is easy and light. Jesus does not yoke us to enslave us, rather, He calls us to cleave to Him and live in freedom to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. He takes upon Himself our burdens and makes our hearts glad.
In this chapter, YHWH instructs Moses to tell the people to set aside cities in each of their allotments for the Levites to reside in and have room to tend their flocks outside the city walls. There will be 48 cities in all, 6 of them will be cities of refuge for oen who kills by accident can flee for safety until they have a trial.
If one outright kills someone intentionally, this is murder, and the murderer is to be put to death. God takes it seriously when one is murdered. He did when Cain murdered Abel, bit let Cain live. For the Israelites, they are to carry out this death sentence on murderers without partiality. no murderer can be "bailed out" with money, bribe, or other type of exchange to rescind the death penalty.
YHWH says that unrequited murder defiles the land. It perverts justice and leads to wanton killing. This happens every week in so many cities, think of the many young men who are gunned down in Chicago, L.A., and other big cities every week. These murders are often done by other young people. How perverted our society has become when such young people have no value for life and think nothing of taking life from another. And then there are the drug cartels who murder so readily. Let's mention all of the babies aborted without the mom or doctors blinking an eye. There is so much blood-letting happening in our streets and the blood of the innocent cries out to God as Abel's did. God knows when every life starts and ends. He cares. And He wants society to deal justly with murderers. Yet in His mercy, He makes a way here for those who kill unintentionally to be safe until proven to have done so by accident or purposefully.
The cities for the Levites puts the priests in the midst of each tribe. They are there to be available to the spiritual needs of the families abiding around their cities. The High Priest, ark, and tabernacle are in one set place, but the other priests are to be in the midst of the people. They are to be readily available
Hi Daruled. And welcome to these Discussion pages & hope you will enjoy fellowship with us around God's Word.
Your question would require a very long answer, beyond the scope of these pages, & you may have noticed that this matter is being presently addressed & does come up often here (because it is so important & often so misunderstood). So just a quick answer to your "quick question": when we read that the believer is 'freed, or delivered, from the Law' ( Romans 7:6), we should understand that to mean that the Law given to Israel has no more rule & binding on the one who is now 'IN Christ'.
So, those of Israel & of the Gentiles who have been saved by Christ's Blood, have entered into a New Covenant relationship (in His Blood), that not only abrogates that old Law that only revealed sin & ended in death ( Romans 7:9-11), but brings forth a New Law within this New Covenant that we are now to hear & obey. Where the Old Law written on stones demanded total obedience by one's own power or else face death, the New Law of the Spirit ( Romans 8:2) is now embedded deep in the believer, & now is given the Holy Spirit energized power to obey, not just a set of 10 Commandments, but all the Law of God. And this New Law covers every aspect of the believer's life, which means that God's Commands are no longer limited to a number, but the Spirit brings every thought, word or deed into the believer's spiritual view & applies conviction & understanding applicable to the individual.
So yes, the believer IN Christ, can never be "lawless", for if he is & seeks to live his life separate from the workings of God's Spirit in him, he should then question whether real salvation is his actual experience. And I would venture further to state, that a child of God, led of His Spirit in him, would hardly be able to go through his waking moments each day without regular testings & examinations by the All-searching, All-ministering Holy Spirit residing in him. Blessings.
Hello Rrscaccia. I think you have misread this portion. If I might write it as I understand this passage ( Romans 1:1-3):
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he (i.e. God) had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his (i.e. God;s) Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh..."
So Paul is stating that even as he Paul was called by the Lord to be Jesus' apostle, the Gospel which Paul had to preach was of Jesus Christ, God's Son Whom God had "promised afore by His prophets..."). So where are these promises? You can look at Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 9:6,7; Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5 (yet a future fulfillment): these prophets all spoke of Jesus (though they didn't know Him by that Name but that One would be sent from God), Who would come from Heaven through the Davidic line, being called the Son of God by His Divine Birth.
In this chapter, YHWH designates the borders of the land promised to Abraham that the Israelites will possess. Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had already chosen the land east of the Jordan river as their allotment. (God had promised to Abraham the land east of the Jordan east to the Euphrates River), The rest of the 9 tribes and half tribe of Manasseh were to settle west of the Jordan river. The allotments were to be divide by lots (which God chose the outcome). This way, the distribution of the land will be fair and according to God's wisdom, not man's desires. Eliazar and Joshua would be the ones to work the lot to determine the allotments. Even though these two were godly, they could easily have sinful motives creep in if they were to decide on the distribution from their own desires. A prince (leading elder) from each tribe was named by YHWH to represent their tribe during this part of the allotting of land. With God doing all the choosing, no Israelite could accuse any other Israelite of being unfair nor could any Israelite have cause to bicker about what they received nor could they bribe or coerce anyone. It was God's choosing from start to finish.
In defining the borders, I noticed that Mt. Hor at the edge of Edom is mentioned to be where Aaron died, but another Mt. Hor was mentioned as being part of the northern boundary. These are two different mountains. The northern one is near the coast in northern Palestine. Notice the land that Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Mannaseh were to possess the land east of the Jordan eastward to the sun's rising. So, it seems they could possess the land as far eastward as they wished up to the Euphrates River.
This receiving of the land allotments reminds me to be content with what God has provided for me in this life. It is all only temporal, and like Abraham, we look to be inheritors of the city built by God kept for us in heaven, the New Jerusalem.
This chapter recaps the journey of the Israelites when the LORD God delivered them from their enslavement in Egypt in miraculous and at times fearsome ways. The LORD God went before them in the pillar of fire or cloud leading them through the desert to bring about their readiness to enter the promised land. He feed them with manna and quail, made water to flow from rocks where there was no flowing water before. At Sinai, He covenanted with them to be their God and they His people. Over forty years the people who came out of Egypt died in the wilderness as God had said would occur because of their unbelief. This new generation would be the ones who enter the land promised under Joshua and Caleb's leadership.
Aaron had died on Mt. Hor when God had called him up the mountain to breathe his last. Now, encamped east of the Jordan River in Moab, God tells Moses to instruct the people to drive the people out of the land completely, to destroy all items involved in idol worship. He also warns them that if they do not do these things, the people they allowed to remain would be a source of vexation to them as long as the Israelites occupied the land. God also said that if they fall into the same idolatry as those they drive out, then God will drive them out of the land also.
God did not give a lengthy speech to these people here. he was very concise and pointed in His instructions. What He wanted the people to do was very plain. Yet, God knew that the people will not follow his commands fully. And He especially knew that the Israelites would repeatedly turn to idolatry, divination, witchcraft, and sorcery over the time He allows them to possess the land. Even so, He puts forth His commands and that is that!
The Israelites are so, so close to receiving the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. They have encountered the LORD God in amazing ways that should have burned into their hearts the worthiness of God who they are to worship alone. How many will stay true?
IN FACT, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a revealing letter from Paul the Apostle.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into HEAVEN(into the 3rd heaven. HEAVEN? Ephesians 1:3 combined with Philippians 3:20-21 among other biblical references. Take a look.), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? and shall COME in like manner( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the SAME CLOUD will be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all, as JESUS WARNED: Matthew 25: 6-13.
so, when I heard the gospel preached to me since infancy, I know that God made it efficacious to me because of what is said in Romans 1. Being an infant did make the hearing of it ineffective because it depends on God's power and will, not on someone's age, will, or even ability to comprehend what God has done for us in Christ. I am thankful for my upbringing and the witness of my parents and church from the time I was born on.
I say all this to emphasize that the gospel has always been a part of my life as well as the teachings of the ten commandments. Like most parents, they taught me what God said is right and wrong. As a child, I never doubted my salvation in Jesus even when I was convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. I always knew I could go to Jesus and admit I did wrong against Him and others. My life was shaped by both Law and Gospel. They each have their place in the life of a believer. The Law shows us our sin and need for forgiveness. It shows us the moral path we are to follow to glorify God. The gospel brings us the message of salvation in Jesus Christ and causes us to become born again by the Holy Spirit. Oh, how gracious God has been to me all of my life!
The Holy Spirit giving me the desire to do God's will by living a godly life brings blessings to those who live this way. We do not do this to earn salvation because that is impossible. But we live this way because we love God above all others and love others as Jesus did in His earthly life. We can never love as God loves. His love is far beyond how we could ever love in this life. But, by the power of the gospel, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the teachings of the living word of God in Scripture, I can become more and more like Jesus,
Any righteous moral command of God is for us. It reveals His holiness and will for us to be "holy as He is holy." We owe Him our obedience, not to pay for our salvation, but as gratitude for all He has done to redeem us as His children.
as for me, I will follow the commands of my Lord because He tells me to in His word. I believe him! it is the Holy spirit in me that causes me to desire to do God's will and having these commands show me the kind of character we ought to have because it is the character of Jesus whom we are to imitate, be a light to the nations, that others will see the good that we do and glorify God.
So, I have no problem at all in leaning on the Holy Spirit to help me have the mind of Christ, to do what He has said is the loving thing to do against what He said is not loving actions towards God or humans. From a very young age I have loved the commands of God because by knowing them, the Spirit reminds me of the command I am breaking when I am acting against loving Him and others. Being a believer all of my life, knowing what God says is righteous actions has helped to shape my character and approach to life.
I know that the law is good, but that we cannot meet its demands by along shot. I know that it is only Jesus who has done so perfectly. So I, and all believers, need to cast ourselves onto the mercy and grace of Jesus to receive righteousness before God now and on the day of final judgment. I know that the law was given to drive us to Jesus for salvation because we realize by the working of the Holy Spirit that we are sinful and in need of God's mighty work of salvation in Christ.
I don't know how it is for those who came to Christ as adults, but for me, having come to Him even before I could understand it all has blessed me. The earliest memory I have of the gospel and the character of God is when I was 6 and we talked about why God made me and what Jesus did for us. I know that I had been told this repeatedly by my parents and church prior to 6 years old, but that is as far back as I can remember. I believe what Paul wrote in Romans 1: that the preaching and hearing of the gospel is the power of God to save. ...cont.
Thank you. Galatian 1:6-9 is certainly a supporting amplification of John 1:10. There were many then who were teaching falsely. Needless to say it was rampant then. All who today who accurate read the same word we still have in the N. T. will agree we are deluged with likely even more false teaching today. The only answer the Bible seems to give us on this is only a few really do understand it correctly and will be included those who are resurrected and Born again at his coming.
Chris
Thank you. Galatian 1:6-9 is supporting & amplification of John 1:10.
There were many then teaching falsely. It was common if not rampant then. All who accurately read the N. T. today will agree it is likely even more false teaching today. The only answer the Bible seems to give us; only a few correctly understand and live the way Jesus was teaching.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There will still be relative few who will be resurrected when Christ returns. At that point only the few will receive eternal life, be Born again, and made a Spirit Being.
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
I have one question for you David if you don't mind answering it.
You think God preserved His Word only in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts yet God graciously provided tools such as the Strongs Concordance to double check the meaning of words in the original languages.
Question: Why would God preserve the manuscripts but not preserve His Word in a translation for the people living in the world during the last generation?
That makes absolutely no sense to me. Nothing is impossible with God!
(Truth is Christ) will show you God preserved His Word in the KJB, If you will check it out.
You mentioned me in your post above, so I felt that I should respond to you, as you have always been honest, sincere, and open regarding the scriptures.
Jesus informs us and provides us with warnings in the following in scripture:
Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Jesus tells us above if we want to enter into life - keep the commandments.
Revelation 22:14"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
If we want to have the right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city we will do His Commandments. Jesus is stating: will do His Commandments. Who is Jesus referring to when he say His? God.
Both of these verses are spoken by Jesus, and both are commanding us (Christians) to keep God's Commandments if we wish to receive eternal life.
It can't get much clearer than this scripture, and the scripture itself will convict unbelievers.
The only possible argument on the above scripture would be how do we accomplish following God's Commandments. A Born Again Christian is following these Commandments via God's Holy Spirit, not of their own accord. Per this verse: 1 John 3:24
"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
So this really puts to rest the argument by a few on this site; that believe following God's Commandments aren't necessary, or that when we follow them, or encourage others to do so, we are trying to create/work for our own salvation. As you implied, we are living in the Spirt and being obedient to our God. Amen
Jesus/God shines the light for us, all we have to do is believe and follow it!
This principle is employed to bring realities of the world of the Spirit and of the body in terms of the Son. It is in his Son that all fulness should dwell. It is thus we bring our thoughts on the same page as that of God in his Son. Without abiding in Jesus Christ and walking under his light it is impossible for anyone to be called righteous. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord./ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."(Is.55:8-9)
Gog and Magog shall fail miserably because they set themselves against the Son. In Ez.39:17 we have the Lord God inviting fowls to his sacrifice. "And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come;... that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood." In v.21 he declares why, "And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them."
The Spirit gives the similitude of a supper in the Vision of St. John.(Re.19:17-18)
God sent an east wind to feed the Israel and their lust for meat serves how God rewards the fowls, "And all the fowls were filled with their flesh."(19:21)
Principle of Similitude serves us a lesson. In the secular world we have this truth: 'Any man's gain is not every man's gain.' Nations may aggrandize themselves preying upon the weak nations. But the Just God shall not let go man's injustice unpunished. In the post 'Iron' the quail is a symbol. The Spirit has incorporated the man's ungodliness, his lust in a manner he shall understand. In rejecting manna God shall repay in a manner he did not foresee. God has given all things needful for his life and godliness. Let us be content with a grateful heart.
"It is Done"
The Spirit gives us in this passage. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;" (Re.19:17-18). The Spirit sets an angel in the sun, which refers to the sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ.
All promises of God are yea and amen in him. So the narrative mode of the Spirit has its own color and shape. As with He.11:3 there are only two worlds framed by the word of God. So mountains of Israel are interchangeable as Jerusalem is a stand-in for New Jerusalem. In order to avoid confusion the Spirit also sets additional safeguard in the usage of numbers. The number Seven is a command number made up of 4+3. Four establishes the Word, which was with God and the Law. Number Three is a tag for the Son. The number assigned to the beast 666, He is a man in whom there is no place the word of God to work with. He is established as the son of perdition.
The Spirit uses fractions, which have its own purpose. "And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee,"(39:2) One sixth, one fourth and one third for instance. The Spirit gives the tag of condemnation, "Of sin, because they believe not on me" (John16:9) The beast did not believe in the Son, - his body, spirit and soul included. The classic example is in the image, "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon."(Dan.3:1) Numbers Six and Ten dominate here. Width is six cubits and height is ten times as much. It was set up on the earth. (2 of 2)
It Is Done
"Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken."
This is the day we have had come across in the Book of Psalms. (Ps.2:7) In these posts we have been going over the conspiracy of the kings which are many conflicts from one to the other breaking out without a final resolution but the Holy Spirit gives a pluperfect sentence, In short we are looking at event leading us to the final struggle in which the beast and his false prophet shall be taken and thrown into the lake of fire. Those who throw in their lot with the powers that be shall share their fate. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed."
The Spirit gives cues as to how we should look at the events. Jesus towards the end of his ministry warned of apostasy in the church and backsliding, " And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many./ And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."(Matt.24:11-13) We have been called before the worlds began and we have no other assurance than that the Son has sacrificed himself in order to perfect us. The politics of this day is in flux and shall leave their followers high and dry." But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
"Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured." Here the Spirit gives us the cue to follow track of the word of God, which in this case is a prophesy. What is a prophesy without its fulfillment?. The Spirit gives us in this passage. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;" (Re.19:17-18).
"A Great Army"
The army of the kings of the east bear a tag, 200x1000x1000 These two sets refer to the period during which Satan is bound over. So latter days and latter years mentioned in Ch.38 necessitate this. "In the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword. This is different from the latter days." But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."(Dan.12:13)
Number 10 refers to the Decalogue and Judgment of God. The red dragon had 10 horns indicating power and authority, "having seven heads and ten horns," Similarly the beast also has the same. (Re.13:1,12:3)
The number 20 (10x2) refers to sinning against God and his holiness signifying the Son, The Prodigal Son refers how he may reconcile with his Father "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee."( Luke 15:18) Joseph was sold by his brethren to the Ishmaelites, 'who took him to Egypt,' and the sum was 20 shekels of silver.(Ge.37:28) This continues in the trespass offering. (Le.5:14-16) This 20 shekels in the case of Joseph signifies their trespass against God and Joseph who was set down as the double for the Son. Also significant is that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (10x3) The command number 3 refers to the Son.
"A Great Army"
they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again."(Ex.10:13- NIV). St John gives us a clue to the nature of the army that Gog mustered in the battle. The locusts are unclean spirits different from what went into attack in the Book of Exodus. In Ez.38:4 we see them. Compare them what St John is telling us. "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men./ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions./ And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle."(9:7-9)
Ezekiel mentions the name Togarmah can be identified with the Phrygians as was Ashkenaz.
"Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee." (38:6)
In order to understand the role of the scorpions consider this verse, "And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months."(9:10) We have the clue in the idiomatic expression of Parthian shot, the ancient Parthian cavalry's habit of shooting arrows rearward at the enemy while in real or feigned flight.
St John gives a number to this army which as with 144,000 are intended as tags "And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." (9:16)
12x12 refers to gospel. This multiplied by 1000 gives us the first fruits "These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."(Re.14:4)
(2 of 3)
"Thus saith the Lord God; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?"
"A Great Army"
Prophets prophesied 'in those days' refer to the books for instance we have Daniel and he writes thus,"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."(Dan.12:1)
Our concern here is to present the passage in the two chapters of Ezekiel and it is clear that it is God who is in control. He has already got hooks into the jaw of Gog. Pharoah is similarly treated in so we shall include Egypt falling into that great army and their judgment is all same. "And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:"(38:4)
Their place is to be thrown 'to be lain with the uncircumcised. "Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit."(32:18-26)
In order to make sense of this expression, "Go down into the pit' we need to understand the book of the Revelation. The Ch.9 presents the Vision of Abaddon. By command from heaven the angel opens the bottomless pit "and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace".
This is a cue for the locusts and the scorpions' to emerge from under the earth. Locusts serve as one of the plagues visiting Egypt. "So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the Lord made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts;" (1 of 3)
"The valley of Hamongog."
"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."(Je.17:5) River Euphrates is thus dried up and it was determined before their ways strayed from His holiness and the Word.
In the vision of the Book bound with Seven Seals (Re.5) we find only the Lamb was found worthy to open the seals which are part of the judgment. The seven angels with seven trumpets are not blowing them all at once. The seven is indication that each aspect as judgment is distributed over the day appointed for the Son. Thus we have four angels associated with the river as in the following passage. "Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates./ And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men./ And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." (Re.9:14-16)
It is thus we need approach the following verses "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land./ Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord God."
"In that day" is a phrase often employed by the Holy Spirit to indicate the day decreed for the Son.
"The day that I shall be glorified" refers to the day of regeneration.
The Valley Of Hamon-Gog
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves..: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog."
The valley bears another name, which is more revealing especially considering from where the enemies to Christ are coming. This valley is called "the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea.". In the Book of the Revelation we have the name the River Euphrates is used which is relevant to the occasion. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."(Re.16:12) Notice the significance of the tag Six used by the Holy Spirit. We shall come to it anon. God sent a river to water the Garden of Eden and gives us two rivers both of which are continuation of blessings from the waters from above the firmament. God blessed us with all spiritual blessing in his Son. Thus we have the third river named Hiddekel and the fourth the River Euphrates. "And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates."(Ge.2:14) The command number Three refers to the Son. Drying up the River is a signal of divine Judgment. The kings of the east are led to their doom for which this valley is sign. (39:15)
On the other hand we have the 'open valley' in the vision of the dry bones in Ez.37
In Ez.38:3-6 Gog is presented with names familiar with the history of the nation of Israel "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:" They made the flesh their arms and as Jeremiah speaks of such they are accursed. When they cannot appreciate the long suffering nature of God, his mercy it is a sure indication that their heart has departed from God. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man," (1 of 2)
In Ch.37 the Spirit shows the prophet an army of dry bones and calls them Israel. "These bones are the whole house of Israel." He goes on to add, "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel." (Ez.37:11-12) Bringing into the land of Israel refers to New Jerusalem and not the geographical Jerusalem. Who has bewitched Christians to resist the truth? By rejecting the Son of man their city was razed to the ground. Now what is left there is in spiritual terms is Sodom or Egypt. (Re.11:8) The Land of Magog refers to this. Whereas we are following the author and finisher of our faith who as the Lamb is shown standing on mount Sion, -"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,"(He.12:22-23)
Who were the wise men from the east, and by tradition they are kings. "We three kings of Orient are' . Be that as it may they escaped judgment."(Matt.2:1-2). They paid heed to the dream, "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."(2:13) The Spirit used this in order to show these kings of the east paid heed to the Spirit as he warns everyone of us whenever we go astray. See how great many are caught in their own snares because they wanted to do as they pleased,"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end./ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction." (Ps.73:17-18)
Be Thou Prepared
"Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them." (v.7)
Prophet Ezekiel is referring to the kings of the east and his warning to them is juxtaposed by Jesus warning his disciples. " Behold, I have told you before./ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not./ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."(Matt.24:25-28)
Gog is associated with the land of Magog. "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,"
We have already discussed the world made to appear by the word of God refers to the earth for this reason the Preacher reminds us that it abides for ever. (Ec.1:4) The earth and the fulness thereof belong to him. (Ps.24:1) So where did this Gog and Magog come from? 'Thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee' are mercenaries brought by Satan. The devil sins from the beginning and John tells us why Jesus had to manifest. He shall destroy the works of Satan. It is thus the events in present world are gravitating inexorably into two camps. So Jesus speaking of many false christs rising it is a sure sign that it is time for the saints redeemed from the earth to be prepared.
It is in this context we considered the quails sent by an east wind was not merely about the nation of Israel loathing manna in the wilderness. The feathered fowl was a symbol. 'Christ in us' is also our spiritual food as Jesus taught us. Doing the will of God should be our meat and drink. So lusting for meat was tantamount to loathing the angel's food. Here we see the slippery path to their destruction as a nation. They are synonymous with the land of Magog.
In Ch.37 the Spirit shows the prophet an army of dry bones (1 of 2)
(2/2)
"Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" This refers to God breathing into the nostrils of Adam. These dry bones became living soul so bone joins to one another. "there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."(v.7)
But what v.9 refers altogether new! "Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live./ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."(vv.9-10) . Evidently the baptism of the Holy Spirit renders every believer part of this army.
This army we find following the rider on the white horse in the Book of the Revelation. 'And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses". It is thus our battles are fought in the world of the Spirit. Our battle is not with flesh and blood.
Bones do not carry labels but are as one,-the one gospel of God. So what does this verse signify? "Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel."
Ministry of reconciliation by his Son explains 'the whole Israel' is interchangeable with body of Christ. The allegory of two sticks becoming one in the hand refers to Jesus Christ the King of kings, lord of lords. " And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd:" He leading them to the living waters we have this verse," Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."(Re.22:17)
"Dry Bones"
The promise of God is, "Ask of me" Our possession can be only in the Son."Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."(v.8)
The prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John gives the fulfillment of this. Especially the vv.20-24. "That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world./ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me."( John 17:24-25) So knowing that God sent his Son is one part but we have to be made perfect for which we have to abide in him. " in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;" He who has the Son has the Father as well. This is the church in eternity, the body of Christ.
The bone from Adam led to the creation of Eve, and the Spirit sets her as a symbol for this church in eternity. A close study of the Vision of Dry Bones (Ez.37) shall help us understand the ongoing church- building is in the world of the Spirit as much as the Spirit of Christ working with human agencies on the earth.
'The open valley' is a clue for us to include the two worlds as one. "And, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. "(37:2) Ezekiel is not required to prophesy to what is in the mind of God. So we have to take the lead of the Spirit and see the church how these dry bones may put on flesh and sinews "And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord."(37:8)
Second point is in the matter of breath. Of this v.9 is different than v.3. "Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" This refers to God breathing into the nostrils of Adam. These dry bones became living soul so bone joins to one another. (1 of 2)
"Be Ye Wise" (2 of 2)
." Look at the history of mankind in order to see what carnal wisdom has given the world.
" But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth./ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish./ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."(Jas.4:14-16)
How did Constantine1 transform the early church but in strife and in his sensual pride? The history of his reign gives us ample evidence where he promoted heresies and set differing camps of Orthodoxy against heresies fight it out? There was 'confusion and every evil work.' The pagan Empire was all iron and the church bought by the blood of Jesus Christ after the State had got into the act was miry clay. This is devilish since it is steered by foolish shepherds with their carnal wisdom. Before this state of evil work could go further God shall step in, and we are seeing the curl of a tsunami shaping up.
God has not changed his doctrine because the churches are all led helter-skelter by reason than faith. We see a great army of dry bones. The Spirit presents them as a vision meaning they exist only in the divine Will or the world of the Spirit. God shall use these dry bones to control the events narrated in the ch.38.
"Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him," This we shall discuss in the coming post, which concludes our meditations on the psalm.
"Be ye wise"
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings" We are called to be priests and kings. So we shall discuss the kind of wisdom we ought to cultivate. In Jesus Christ is the fulness so we shall learn of him. As the true and faithful witness he can be the only way, the truth and the life. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,/ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Re.1:5-6)
The Spirit has presented Adam as a stand-in for the Son. The deep sleep of Adam refers to the death of Jesus Christ. Till his Advent we have several heroes of faith and each of them reveal an aspect of the Son. God fashions the woman from one of his ribs, and how does Adam respond?
"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man./ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (Ge.2:22-23) Whence did his knowledge come from? Isn't it from God and he thought as His son. ( Luke 2:38) The Spirit makes him as a double for the Son where wisdom from heaven is freely given to him. It is for this reason God commanded him not to eat of the fruit of the tree. As son of God knowledge of good and evil was superfluous. His sin was in obeying the doctrine of Satan. As a son and as the double for his Son diobedience was no option. For wisdom from heaven to work in anyone the condition is to be led by Jesus Christ.
Wisdom from heaven is to be led by the word of God. It creates peace all around. 'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
"Be Ye instructed"
Once the reverence for God and his word was gone what was left? "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works./ Therefore their days did he consume in vanity," (78:32-33). This is plain addiction. Overindulgence and craving are signs of a consumer society given to be consumed in vanity. In a permissive society man degrading so love is more a bondage. Are we being tricked or are we free citizens exercising healthy appetites, given by God?
Fools rely solely in their rational faculties, which is under the department of 'wisdom of this world'. In the Four horsemen figuring in the vision of St John what have we coming in the rear?
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."(Re.6:8) Jesus Christ the rider on the white horse is pre-eminent in all things so we see him ahead of the cavalcade. By his death and resurrection Jesus Christ overcame death so we ought not be afraid. We are secure. "All things were created by him, and for him:/And he is before all:/And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."(Col.1:16-17)
'With the beasts of the earth' Hell following death gives pestilence a place. Does anyone by reason foresee pandemic as they hit us?
"And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit./ And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power./And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. (Re.9:2-5)
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth./ Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
Salvation is in none other than in the Son who is the heir of all things. The two worlds framed by God reveals faith which is one; the other is the word of God. The Word of God, as the Law or the constitution is a sound as well as a sign. In short the world made to appear is a sign. Jesus Christ as the slain Lamb, the Lamb of God and the Throne of God and of the Lamb are all one and the same.(He.11:3)
"If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it." (Pr.9:12) The Spirit has given us the God document, the Bible is inerrant. So you cannot cut and paste passages from Scripture to make the nation of Israel as the central plank for your religion and practice. Jesus Christ, who of God is become our Savior Lord so all our glory should be in him. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:/ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."(1 Co.1:30-31)
"Judge not, that ye be not judged./ For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."(Matt.7:1-2) God is the God of both poor and rich and absolutely impartial. "Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:/For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them." (Pr.22:22-23)
As with man so with His creation. " Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."(Matt.10:29) The Spirit instructs how Israel murmured against divine Providence. "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."(Ps.78:18).
How this placement of the Levites among the people typifies Christ who resides with His people and ever makes intercession for us to the Father. How dependable He is and how intimate is His priestly work for us. He knows what is going on in each of our lives, being ever-present and everywhere present. His ministry far exceeds that of the priest of Israel. They, being sinful, became corrupted with greed, pride, and puffed up. They became self-righteous and did not want to "mingle" with the unclean common folk. They added requirements to the law, amending what God decreed, and inserted traditions that led people further away for God rather than helping them draw near to God and practice service and worship to God that is according to what God has stated to be righteous. They became burdensome to the people rather than Jesus, who said to take His yoke upon us, which is easy and light. Jesus does not yoke us to enslave us, rather, He calls us to cleave to Him and live in freedom to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. He takes upon Himself our burdens and makes our hearts glad.
If one outright kills someone intentionally, this is murder, and the murderer is to be put to death. God takes it seriously when one is murdered. He did when Cain murdered Abel, bit let Cain live. For the Israelites, they are to carry out this death sentence on murderers without partiality. no murderer can be "bailed out" with money, bribe, or other type of exchange to rescind the death penalty.
YHWH says that unrequited murder defiles the land. It perverts justice and leads to wanton killing. This happens every week in so many cities, think of the many young men who are gunned down in Chicago, L.A., and other big cities every week. These murders are often done by other young people. How perverted our society has become when such young people have no value for life and think nothing of taking life from another. And then there are the drug cartels who murder so readily. Let's mention all of the babies aborted without the mom or doctors blinking an eye. There is so much blood-letting happening in our streets and the blood of the innocent cries out to God as Abel's did. God knows when every life starts and ends. He cares. And He wants society to deal justly with murderers. Yet in His mercy, He makes a way here for those who kill unintentionally to be safe until proven to have done so by accident or purposefully.
The cities for the Levites puts the priests in the midst of each tribe. They are there to be available to the spiritual needs of the families abiding around their cities. The High Priest, ark, and tabernacle are in one set place, but the other priests are to be in the midst of the people. They are to be readily available
Your question would require a very long answer, beyond the scope of these pages, & you may have noticed that this matter is being presently addressed & does come up often here (because it is so important & often so misunderstood). So just a quick answer to your "quick question": when we read that the believer is 'freed, or delivered, from the Law' ( Romans 7:6), we should understand that to mean that the Law given to Israel has no more rule & binding on the one who is now 'IN Christ'.
So, those of Israel & of the Gentiles who have been saved by Christ's Blood, have entered into a New Covenant relationship (in His Blood), that not only abrogates that old Law that only revealed sin & ended in death ( Romans 7:9-11), but brings forth a New Law within this New Covenant that we are now to hear & obey. Where the Old Law written on stones demanded total obedience by one's own power or else face death, the New Law of the Spirit ( Romans 8:2) is now embedded deep in the believer, & now is given the Holy Spirit energized power to obey, not just a set of 10 Commandments, but all the Law of God. And this New Law covers every aspect of the believer's life, which means that God's Commands are no longer limited to a number, but the Spirit brings every thought, word or deed into the believer's spiritual view & applies conviction & understanding applicable to the individual.
So yes, the believer IN Christ, can never be "lawless", for if he is & seeks to live his life separate from the workings of God's Spirit in him, he should then question whether real salvation is his actual experience. And I would venture further to state, that a child of God, led of His Spirit in him, would hardly be able to go through his waking moments each day without regular testings & examinations by the All-searching, All-ministering Holy Spirit residing in him. Blessings.
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he (i.e. God) had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his (i.e. God;s) Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh..."
So Paul is stating that even as he Paul was called by the Lord to be Jesus' apostle, the Gospel which Paul had to preach was of Jesus Christ, God's Son Whom God had "promised afore by His prophets..."). So where are these promises? You can look at Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 9:6,7; Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5 (yet a future fulfillment): these prophets all spoke of Jesus (though they didn't know Him by that Name but that One would be sent from God), Who would come from Heaven through the Davidic line, being called the Son of God by His Divine Birth.
In defining the borders, I noticed that Mt. Hor at the edge of Edom is mentioned to be where Aaron died, but another Mt. Hor was mentioned as being part of the northern boundary. These are two different mountains. The northern one is near the coast in northern Palestine. Notice the land that Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Mannaseh were to possess the land east of the Jordan eastward to the sun's rising. So, it seems they could possess the land as far eastward as they wished up to the Euphrates River.
This receiving of the land allotments reminds me to be content with what God has provided for me in this life. It is all only temporal, and like Abraham, we look to be inheritors of the city built by God kept for us in heaven, the New Jerusalem.
Aaron had died on Mt. Hor when God had called him up the mountain to breathe his last. Now, encamped east of the Jordan River in Moab, God tells Moses to instruct the people to drive the people out of the land completely, to destroy all items involved in idol worship. He also warns them that if they do not do these things, the people they allowed to remain would be a source of vexation to them as long as the Israelites occupied the land. God also said that if they fall into the same idolatry as those they drive out, then God will drive them out of the land also.
God did not give a lengthy speech to these people here. he was very concise and pointed in His instructions. What He wanted the people to do was very plain. Yet, God knew that the people will not follow his commands fully. And He especially knew that the Israelites would repeatedly turn to idolatry, divination, witchcraft, and sorcery over the time He allows them to possess the land. Even so, He puts forth His commands and that is that!
The Israelites are so, so close to receiving the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. They have encountered the LORD God in amazing ways that should have burned into their hearts the worthiness of God who they are to worship alone. How many will stay true?
IN FACT, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a revealing letter from Paul the Apostle.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into HEAVEN(into the 3rd heaven. HEAVEN? Ephesians 1:3 combined with Philippians 3:20-21 among other biblical references. Take a look.), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? and shall COME in like manner( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the SAME CLOUD will be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all, as JESUS WARNED: Matthew 25: 6-13.
pt. 2
so, when I heard the gospel preached to me since infancy, I know that God made it efficacious to me because of what is said in Romans 1. Being an infant did make the hearing of it ineffective because it depends on God's power and will, not on someone's age, will, or even ability to comprehend what God has done for us in Christ. I am thankful for my upbringing and the witness of my parents and church from the time I was born on.
I say all this to emphasize that the gospel has always been a part of my life as well as the teachings of the ten commandments. Like most parents, they taught me what God said is right and wrong. As a child, I never doubted my salvation in Jesus even when I was convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. I always knew I could go to Jesus and admit I did wrong against Him and others. My life was shaped by both Law and Gospel. They each have their place in the life of a believer. The Law shows us our sin and need for forgiveness. It shows us the moral path we are to follow to glorify God. The gospel brings us the message of salvation in Jesus Christ and causes us to become born again by the Holy Spirit. Oh, how gracious God has been to me all of my life!
The Holy Spirit giving me the desire to do God's will by living a godly life brings blessings to those who live this way. We do not do this to earn salvation because that is impossible. But we live this way because we love God above all others and love others as Jesus did in His earthly life. We can never love as God loves. His love is far beyond how we could ever love in this life. But, by the power of the gospel, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the teachings of the living word of God in Scripture, I can become more and more like Jesus,
Any righteous moral command of God is for us. It reveals His holiness and will for us to be "holy as He is holy." We owe Him our obedience, not to pay for our salvation, but as gratitude for all He has done to redeem us as His children.
as for me, I will follow the commands of my Lord because He tells me to in His word. I believe him! it is the Holy spirit in me that causes me to desire to do God's will and having these commands show me the kind of character we ought to have because it is the character of Jesus whom we are to imitate, be a light to the nations, that others will see the good that we do and glorify God.
So, I have no problem at all in leaning on the Holy Spirit to help me have the mind of Christ, to do what He has said is the loving thing to do against what He said is not loving actions towards God or humans. From a very young age I have loved the commands of God because by knowing them, the Spirit reminds me of the command I am breaking when I am acting against loving Him and others. Being a believer all of my life, knowing what God says is righteous actions has helped to shape my character and approach to life.
I know that the law is good, but that we cannot meet its demands by along shot. I know that it is only Jesus who has done so perfectly. So I, and all believers, need to cast ourselves onto the mercy and grace of Jesus to receive righteousness before God now and on the day of final judgment. I know that the law was given to drive us to Jesus for salvation because we realize by the working of the Holy Spirit that we are sinful and in need of God's mighty work of salvation in Christ.
I don't know how it is for those who came to Christ as adults, but for me, having come to Him even before I could understand it all has blessed me. The earliest memory I have of the gospel and the character of God is when I was 6 and we talked about why God made me and what Jesus did for us. I know that I had been told this repeatedly by my parents and church prior to 6 years old, but that is as far back as I can remember. I believe what Paul wrote in Romans 1: that the preaching and hearing of the gospel is the power of God to save. ...cont.
Thank you. Galatian 1:6-9 is certainly a supporting amplification of John 1:10. There were many then who were teaching falsely. Needless to say it was rampant then. All who today who accurate read the same word we still have in the N. T. will agree we are deluged with likely even more false teaching today. The only answer the Bible seems to give us on this is only a few really do understand it correctly and will be included those who are resurrected and Born again at his coming.
Chris
Thank you. Galatian 1:6-9 is supporting & amplification of John 1:10.
There were many then teaching falsely. It was common if not rampant then. All who accurately read the N. T. today will agree it is likely even more false teaching today. The only answer the Bible seems to give us; only a few correctly understand and live the way Jesus was teaching.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There will still be relative few who will be resurrected when Christ returns. At that point only the few will receive eternal life, be Born again, and made a Spirit Being.
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
bedbugg - James
I have one question for you David if you don't mind answering it.
You think God preserved His Word only in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts yet God graciously provided tools such as the Strongs Concordance to double check the meaning of words in the original languages.
Question: Why would God preserve the manuscripts but not preserve His Word in a translation for the people living in the world during the last generation?
That makes absolutely no sense to me. Nothing is impossible with God!
(Truth is Christ) will show you God preserved His Word in the KJB, If you will check it out.
I pray you do David.
May God pour Blessings upon you.
You mentioned me in your post above, so I felt that I should respond to you, as you have always been honest, sincere, and open regarding the scriptures.
Jesus informs us and provides us with warnings in the following in scripture:
Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Jesus tells us above if we want to enter into life - keep the commandments.
Revelation 22:14"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
If we want to have the right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city we will do His Commandments. Jesus is stating: will do His Commandments. Who is Jesus referring to when he say His? God.
Both of these verses are spoken by Jesus, and both are commanding us (Christians) to keep God's Commandments if we wish to receive eternal life.
It can't get much clearer than this scripture, and the scripture itself will convict unbelievers.
The only possible argument on the above scripture would be how do we accomplish following God's Commandments. A Born Again Christian is following these Commandments via God's Holy Spirit, not of their own accord. Per this verse: 1 John 3:24
"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
So this really puts to rest the argument by a few on this site; that believe following God's Commandments aren't necessary, or that when we follow them, or encourage others to do so, we are trying to create/work for our own salvation. As you implied, we are living in the Spirt and being obedient to our God. Amen
Jesus/God shines the light for us, all we have to do is believe and follow it!
GBU
"Kiss The Son"
This principle is employed to bring realities of the world of the Spirit and of the body in terms of the Son. It is in his Son that all fulness should dwell. It is thus we bring our thoughts on the same page as that of God in his Son. Without abiding in Jesus Christ and walking under his light it is impossible for anyone to be called righteous. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord./ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."(Is.55:8-9)
Gog and Magog shall fail miserably because they set themselves against the Son. In Ez.39:17 we have the Lord God inviting fowls to his sacrifice. "And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come;... that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood." In v.21 he declares why, "And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them."
The Spirit gives the similitude of a supper in the Vision of St. John.(Re.19:17-18)
God sent an east wind to feed the Israel and their lust for meat serves how God rewards the fowls, "And all the fowls were filled with their flesh."(19:21)
Principle of Similitude serves us a lesson. In the secular world we have this truth: 'Any man's gain is not every man's gain.' Nations may aggrandize themselves preying upon the weak nations. But the Just God shall not let go man's injustice unpunished. In the post 'Iron' the quail is a symbol. The Spirit has incorporated the man's ungodliness, his lust in a manner he shall understand. In rejecting manna God shall repay in a manner he did not foresee. God has given all things needful for his life and godliness. Let us be content with a grateful heart.