"The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
First point to note is that the beast is a composite figure as the two witnesses represent the saints to whom Jesus Christ gave power according to the promise of God, and are called and blessed in his Son.. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."(Ps.110:2) These enemies on the earth are caused by 'the war in heaven.'(Re.12:7). And the consequence of it we read in v.12. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
This short time is clearly set by the Spirit even as the earthly ministry of Jesus and of the two witnesses. 42 is a number designated by God so the time of the Gentiles or heathen is likewise determined. John was sent as a messenger who was killed by the sword. Herod Antipas, it must be stressed was a vassal king to Caligula as another Herod, Herod Agrippa would have James killed. One killed because of his oath and the other killed James because he wanted to please the crowd. in whichever case the beast is associated with qualities totally antithetical to Jesus. The beast rising out of the sea (Re.13:1) is from below the earth as Jesus is from heaven. He is the king," The Lord sitteth upon the flood."(Ps.29:10) What is the characteristic of the sea? The beast represent the wicked," But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). While we have the likes of Herod whose power is derived from some one else as enemies to Christ, the two witnesses represent an angel a man so the golden reed is their measurement and signify the everlasting gospel entrusted to them. Herod also gave rise to a political movement in the days of Jesus. (Matt.22:15-16)
The '1260 days' is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. The 42 months' similarly is a tag. In an earlier post we saw 'the hour" during which the power of darkness prevailing over the children of disobedience. ( Luke 22:53). The beast as well as the enemies to Jesus who took him in the night belonged to the son of perdition. Judas Iscariot belonged to this group. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us look at the characteristics of the two witnesses. They are representatives of several prophets coming under the earthly ministry of Jesus who is the fulfillment of the law. They were "clothed in sackcloth'. It echoes the mourning of Daniel for three weeks,"(Dan.10:2-3)
"And have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This recalls to us the seven plagues of Egypt" and of Elijah, "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy." In short these two witnesses present a composite picture of heroes of faith(He.11:33-38)
On the flip side the number 42 months gives the beast who is a composite figure. John the Baptist was beheaded under a Herod and we have the beast in the Acts of the Apostles, "Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church./And he killed James the brother of John with the sword./And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."(Ac.12:1-3)
Finally " Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." This temple is not anything extant but what was founded on Zion. (1s.28:16) We see its culmination in Re.21.22-23
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it./... for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(11:3)
Who is the authority to confer power on men but the Lord from heaven, who is heavenly? "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." The risen Christ in his humanity was the Word become flesh, so his authority stretched from Alpha the beginning. In his Ascension he was to be seated on the right hand of the Most High so Omega aspect, the ending referred to fulfilling the divine Will of his Father. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power"(Ps.110:1-3). Firstly the two witnesses belong to 'thy people'. These were given to the Son. "and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."( John 17:11)
The chapter began with a golden reed and the angel directing John what to leave out and what to include requires attention. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This reed is a single measurement. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) Gold signifies faith and here single measurement is of the angel,- the fellow-servant of John and of the man to whom the Son has given authority. Power of the little ones and their angels positioned to behold the face of the Father always defines the golden reed. Every other scale is false.
Prophesy is another feature and the two witnesses would do it for "a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."(Matt.11:11)
The days is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us consider our use of sarcasm as individuals. Does your sarcastic remarks promote was is spoken of in these passages or do they work counter to the objective of these passages?
Eph. 4:1-3
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of your vocation wherewith ye are called, with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Does one's sarcasm promote unity or divide, peace or disturbance in relationship?
Is the sarcasm proceed from lowliness and meekness or does it proceed from pridefulness and self-elevation over another?
Does the sarcasm come forth from longsuffering or is it reactive, a "come back at ya", response? Is it winsome in its intent and effect entreating the other to holy fellowship? Does it show forbearance with another in love or is it" touchy" and self-serving?
Eph. 4:29
"Let no corrupt (unholy) communication proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Is one's sarcasm holy or unholy speech? Does it honor God and respect the person spoken to? Does it build up or tear down the hearer? Does it hurt or heal the hearer? Does it promote equalness in the relationship or does it inflate the speaker to the detriment of the hearer? Does it seek to be cooperative rather than competitive (getting to "one-up" another or win in a discussion)?
Eph. 5:4
"..Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather of giving of thanks."
Is one's sarcasm sober and mindful or foolish talking? Does it make fun of another or "jest" in a way that the other person doesn't like? Are you really "just Kidding, joking, or being humorous" in a mutually humorous and receptive conversation or does the sarcasm come from irritation, anger, or wanting to get at the hearer to put them down or shut them up?
I'm still studying on our other discussion but I did want to say my sarcasm was meant to make a point. I still haven't heard from Chris that I offended him, as far as I know. I agree with most of what you said. If sarcasm is done in a way that is displeasing to God it shouldn't be done. The sarcasm should be apologized for and the believer should ask God for forgiveness for hurting the other person and to help him to overcome using sarcasm in a hurtful way. God Bless :)
Hello GiGi: When I made that one small sarcastic remark to Chris, it was to make a point, not to offend anyone but you jumped on it like it was a terrible sin and seemed to be glad to finally have "proof" that I was a "sinner." That's the way I took it. If you had simply asked me not to do it anymore, because it offended you, I would have been fine with that. Now you've blown it all out of proportion and seemed to be including Chris and Adam in the turmoil. I have apologized for offending you and Chris, whom according to you, was also offended. I will say to Adam, IF I have offended you also I apologize for your misunderstanding of my use of sarcasm like GiGi and, I guess, Chris have and were also offended. I don't know how you even got involved in this so, sorry. GiGi, your dissing on me and calling me snarky seems worse to me then a little sarcasm. You even seem a little angry. So, I will finish my commitment to the Lord about the other matter we were discussing but you won't hear back about it from me because I don't intend on having any more discussions with you and Chris and Adam of any kind. I think we should part ways. I'll see you all in Heaven some day. God Bless:)
In your post to Chris you did make more than one small sarcastic remark. You even disparaged God in it.
I was not lying in wait for you to error so I could point out your sin. But your remarks prompted me to enter the conversation. I was not angry with you, just sad that you said what you did in a conversation that was centered on whether one can come to the point of being sinless in this lie, as you asserted about yourself. In speaking sarcastically as you did, you were not merely making a point to support your position or to show the error of Chris' view, in my opinion.
I am sorry that you have made the choice to eliminate conversation with some of us here. That is sad to me. I thought you considered me a friend, and I value that. But friends should be able to be honest in gentle ways for the purpose of helping one another, even if it involves showing where we sin against one another.
I hope that you will change your mind and also remember that if you post on this forum, anyone can reply to what you say, so even if you do not wish to speak to me or Adam or Chris, we are free to speak to what you post here. I pray that
God will bring healing and restoration between us as well as help us all to be open when someone identifies sin in what we say here, as I did in your case. The best thing you can do is examine yourself before God and confess yourself a sinner before Him as I and most on here do when we realize that we have sinned, even though our "new man" does not want to sin, as Paul says so well in Romans 7.
Thanks GiGi for that detailed & timely reminder of what our Christian attitudes ought to be & how they are then expressed to others; and this examination by each one of us has to be first addressed when the seeds within our hearts & minds begin to germinate. Unless the feelings that arise within are not arrested early enough, we may well have to regret our words or behavior.
But then the matter of 'what then is sin'? I think most would agree that it is much more than violating the Ten Commandments, even as our Lord pointed His hearers to their own hearts to correctly understand this subject. But when it comes down to those regrettable things that arise within us which are not specifically addressed in the Word, we may find license to overlook them & treat them as not sinful, merely aberrations arising from the flesh. So, it may boil down to, 'what is sinful to some, may not be to others' (at least, until all are truly led of the Spirit to recognize sin for what sin is, or to those particularly sensitive to any deviation from the holy, to re-examine their beliefs by the Spirit's Guidance). And I too, have had to re-read my comments here, not only for clearly conveying my thoughts, but also to see whether my words could be hurtful or misunderstood, words arising from a mind overly passionate about the subject. I guess that I have failed in this as well at times. Blessings.
We do need to guard that our passion for a topic or doctrine not override our release of loving words seated in truth and grace.
I can tell by your writings that you do approach your responses with consideration for the one who will read them and to whom you are replying to. You are a good example on this forum and I do appreciate your demeanor and the gentle way you address conflicting views.
"For, brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by live serve one another."
Does one's sarcasm serve the other person lovingly promoting their well being or is it self-serving? Does it look out for the best interest of the other ( Phil. 2:4, 21) and not to your own?
Does it reflect that you are thinking highly of the person hearing the sarcasm or does it show you think more highly of yourself than you ought? ( Rom. 12:3)
Gal. 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."
Does one's sarcasm reflect these fruits in your character and your speech?
1 Cor. 13:4-8
"Charity suffereth long (patient), and is kind; charity envieth not; Charity vaunted not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; Charity never faileth..."
Does one's sarcasm align with how love is described in this chapter?
I will stop for now.
This forum is one of speaking to one another. I know that at times I need to re-examine some of my words to see if I am speaking wrongly to another person here. I know I am not perfect in my speech, it is not all what I would call "holy speech" that God would approve of. And if He would not approve of it, it is sinful.
This post is not particularly addressed to Momsage, although her post brought up this topic and I thought it may be good to speak about sarcasm here as well as other ways we speak to each other here. let's speak the truth in love, see these conversations in a sober manner, taking what others post seriously and respond seriously with grace and love. We should recognize that we are talking about God and His Word and others who deserve loving responses.
Hello MotherMac. I'm unsure whether you're addressing someone specifically here, or who the "two (?) clouds of witnesses' might be you're referring to, but just to throw an answer in here: the 'great cloud of witnesses' (as referred to in Hebrews 12:1), are those faithful witnesses mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11.
So when I read Hebrews 12:1, I always get the sense that since those who have gone on way before us & stand in the Presence of God, their lives & faithfulness, in spite of many odds against them, should also be an impetus for us to 'run the race of Christian living & testimony'; a race, not who gets there first, but one that requires patience & endurance reaching the finishing line & the prize - just as those of old did.
But the Hebrews writer doesn't want us to only focus on those saints of old, but to look to Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our Faith (the One Who completed and perfected our faith before God): for He alone is the reason for our salvation, our power & joy to live this life, & Who will receive us into Glory at the appointed time. That 'cloud of witnesses' might have had a good testimony for us to be encouraged to do likewise, but only Jesus could author saving faith & perfect it & us before God by virtue of His great Sacrifice for us & the supreme example He set before us in godly living.
MotherMac, I've just copied your response (hereunder) into this thread, or else our comments will be all over the place. You just need to hit the Reply button at the end of the comment you're replying to, rather than starting a new comment. So you wrote:
"Thank you for your reply. I certainly do want to avoid leading someone wrong. God forbid. In chapter 12, verse 1, I am reading
we also are Those words speaks to me as the time in which he was living."
When the writer of this letter was sent to the Hebrews who resided outside of Israel (it's been suggested, Italy, or thereabouts), he was certainly encouraging them to keep their eyes set on Jesus, patiently running the race of faith in Christ. So yes, as the Hebrews in Italy (?) were being encouraged, so are we to be when reading it.
But if thinking of 'the carnal view or divine view of Christ', apart from verse 2, where the writer encourages us to only look to 'Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our faith', I can't see where one sees Christ from a carnal viewpoint. But if you're thinking that in verse 1, the cloud of witnesses (as those mentioned in chapter 11), were without knowledge of a coming Divine Christ, their Redeemer, then their view was according to the knowledge given them. But if their love for God & faith in Him to keep & deliver them held strong, the merits of the Coming One's Sacrifice would avail for them as well. In other words, their ignorance (carnal view?) of what was to come, would not preclude them from sharing in what we post-Cross have received through Jesus' Sacrifice for our sins. So, I'm unsure whether I've really understood your thoughts here, so I apologize if I haven't & thus your unsatisfied reading of all this.
Thanks for your consideration of my reply MotherMac. At least we are referring to the same passage in Hebrews. You wrote that you saw in Hebrews 12:1 a reference to both 'a carnal & divine view of Christ'. I re-looked at the verse & still unable to fit such views of Christ in there.
If you wish, could you expand your thoughts a little on your statement, so we might consider the verse in a different way? There is always the danger of going too far by searching for a deeper or hidden meaning, making the verse say something not intended; and to this we must be careful or else we do great disservice to God's Word, to our own understanding of it, & misdirecting others. So I would be very keen to hear your thoughts on this so that I can try to search for something that you're reading or sensing in there. Thank you.
It's heartbreaking to hear that a fellow believer is going through something like this. But we believe in the power of prayer, and we do pray for Gustavo and also for his family.
The same hour is a tag set by the Spirit so comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake,"(Re.11:13) for instance is the duration of his ministry and the two witnesses are part of his earthly ministry. In short the work of the Son as the Word become flesh has to incorporate the divine will of the Father. One cannot be without the other since it explains the rationale of Father who revealed the testimony through an angel as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name. Consequently when Jesus rejoiced as quoted from the Lucan gospel refers to the babes, they have their presence before God. Hence Jesus warns,"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)
"And he to whom the Son will reveal him"( Luke 10:22). Jesus as the Good Shepherd came to save the lost. In delivering man who is dead in sin and trespasses he reveals the mercy of his Father. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins/Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ep.2:1-2) What is the significance of quickening one who is dead? Everlasting life proof of which is the believer and his angel in the presence of the Father are aligned without any distortion. "the third part of the stars of heaven" being cast out is how the believers in this world have handled the truth in unrighteousness. How we walk the talk has grave consequences on the cloud of witnesses. (Re.12:4) This explains the joy in heaven over the one sheep lost and found.
"Verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." The Spirit is referring the Son who is the Good Shepherd. He is the visible image of the invisible God so all emotions attributed to God must be seen as coming from the Son.
Similarly the Spirit refers to an hour which is with reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ. "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight./ All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him."( Luke 10:21-22)
Jesus at the Marriage at Cana referred,"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."( John 2:4). By the same token he is referring to the wine which is distinctly with reference to the kingdom to come, " But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(26:29) It is thus the Spirit has organized the Salvation Program of God giving a tag for his ministry and his Father's kingdom. When he explains his work he tells his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:" the same hour is the duration of his ministry and the two represents the testimony of the Son which his Father. It is same as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name.
Holiness of God is a name, glory of which is invested in his testimony which is the glorious gospel entrusted to his Son. So when He sent his only begotten Son what is the Will of God? " Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." His concern is for the glory of everlasting life that the one sheep carries. God so loved the world is to bring the glory of the cloud of witnesses match exactly with those who are in the world of the body.
"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."( John 17:6)
"That they may be one" is what the ministry of reconciliation yet remaining. "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them./And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are".(vv.10-11).And when Jesus Christ says,"It is done" it is a signal that way to the tree of life is found. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb./In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life."(Re.22:1-2)
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."
Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. God sent his Son so the lost sheep may be found. Bringing them back into one fold means reconciling both worlds of the Spirit and of the body into one sheepfold. ( John 10:1)
We shall begin with v.11" For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11).
If the sheep lost its way and have not found what it sought is it worth the effort? A sheep is not endowed with foreknowledge as man is. He is a living soul. Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost even after God gave him the wherewithal? The content of His breath into his nostril sums up the Law that He upholds. It is the word of his power. It explains the Law of the Spirit. The principle of Similitude sets reality of Law of heaven with that of the earth. Thus it is two contrary laws of the Spirit warring the law of sin in our vile bodies nevertheless a matter of life and death. In this existential battle everlasting life is what God promised those who are found.
The Spirit uses symbols for both laws, the tree of life for those who found their way back as we say from the case of Adam life of sin originating from his disobedience. This search for the lost sheep began with the commandment of God who sent forth his word that shall never go back in void.(Is.55:11)
In the parable we have the sheep that is ever by the shepherd. "And the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out./And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice./And a stranger will they not follow" ( John 10:3-5). They are the 99 and are content under the Law of the Spirit to stay close "for they know not the voice of strangers." Their glory they know are in safekeeping and the bright cloud is their testimony.
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." A sheep is most likely to wander away in a rugged terrain where the grass is sparse; the shepherd's task is to keep his flock in his sights and wild animals are not likely to dare show themselves while man is about. " For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11)
Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost. God gave them a straight and narrow path. But when the serpent could get them out of their way and look at the way Satan had presented the alternate reality, and it can open a new vista as the word says,"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." It opened the way to another law."And the eyes of them both were opened,"(v.7) The way of the senses, tell a story, end of which is death as God had warned them. The tree of life was where the Law of the Spirit led to. It was a simple test of walking the straight narrow path but man failed. They let Satan to lead and they were lost.
In Adam we all are set in an alternate reality, a make-believe world, " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."(Ro.3:23). Where law of sin like a wolf roams about we shall appreciate God's counset to Cain. "And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."(Ge.4:6-7)
How come Cain could not take it. He was the wicked one a murderer since he let the spur of the moment direct his actions. (4:8) He had no respect for eternity. It is how the law of sin works.
Pray, ask God for forgiveness and ask Him to take the desire for sin from you, tell Him you love Him so completely that you no longer want to sin, that you want to live a life fully dedicated to Him without sin. (It is the nature of Adam, the old man that we are born with that causes us to sin but sanctification can rid us of our Adamic nature, all at once completely. Be sincere and when you are sanctified you will feel a joy and peace you have never known. Then ask Him to fill you with the Holy Ghost. If it's in His will it will happen. Be worshipful and trust God. Just continue to pray and talk to God. He will begin to take over your speech and you will start to speak in an unknow tongue. This cannot be the devil, as some people may say, you are in God's hands and He is NOT going to let the devil have any power over you. Those fanatics on social media are of the devil. He is using them to keep people away from this beautiful gift form God; to malign it. Here are scriptures that I hope will help you understand that this doctrine is from God. John 5:14, Col. 3:9, Rom. 6:1-7, 2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 12:2, John 3:1-10, Rom. 6:10-11, Rom. 8:12-13, 2 Tim. 2:15.
This reply is probably going to get a lot of comments denouncing what I have said. I have lived with the infilling of the Holy Spirit for decades and I am a true child of God who loves Him dearly and I live every day for Him without sin. I do have faults. Sins send us to hell. Faults, are minor character flaws; these do not send us to hell. People who believe in the sinning/christian doctrine refuse to see the difference. Calling someone a bad name IS a sin but if that person upsets you and you just leave while praying for them, the sinning/christian doctrine teaches that since you got upset you sinned. Jesus said darkness and light don't mix. If you have questions about my stand on the false doctrines of gradual sanctification and sinning/christian please let me know. I hope this helps you. God Bless :)
"Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Speaking of the Will we have in this prayer of Jesus, the utter sorrow of our Savior Lord over Judas, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."( John 17:12). 'That the scripture might be fulfilled' refers to the blessings written in the covenant. (Ge.1:28) God blessed them at one lever was about Christ and the church. "Male and female created he them" applied to each believer who stood equally in direct frame of reference to the Wisdom principle (female) and also the Power principle.(Male). In the Lord's prayer we have the power and glory, in which this glory is a constant reminder of the body of Christ. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Forever is a tag for the Son. While we say 'Amen' we are declaring the creed of being one with the Faithful and true witness. When a believer treats like a nostrum and mumbles on auto-pilot mode it is a pointer to the imposter religion salvaged from a pagan cult of Rome has spread inroads into one's worship. Similar to the joy in heaven over one soul finding way back to the sheepfold we are witnessing Jesus with his fan ready to cast the chaff where the wind shall take where it will.
In the king's dream the ten toes tell the miry clay mixt with iron is under judgment. Like the stone cut not with hands judgment should come in series of shocks. there is an earth quake, and the tenth part of the city fell, it is what we read in Re.18:21. Seven thousand of men (7x1000) speaks it is predetermined. The hour of his judgment,- And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen," Babylon is interchangeable with Jerusalem. (Re.11:8). Loss of even one is diminishment to the glory of God.
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)
At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)
The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
"Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."
John according to Jesus Christ was the greatest among born of women, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matt.11:11). In order to understand the two witnesses we are to focus on John as one, who also referred to the baptism of fire that awaits the church. He foretold, " He (Jesus Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."(3:11-12)
The Baptism by Holy Ghost has been fulfilled and what awaits is baptism by fire to which Apostle Peter also referred, "For the timeis comethat judgment must begin at the house of God: and ifitfirstbeginat us, what shall the endbeof them that obey not the gospel of God?"(1 Pe.4:17). St Paul also warns and it is to the imposter church, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is./ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward./If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."(1 Co.3:13-15)
In the Ch.18 the same question of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven threw up another aspect of John. Jesus said, "He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The little one who ever sees the face of the Father in heaven is the second witness representing the fire. For he is an angel in the world of the Spirit. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)
In the wilderness the Israelites were led by pillar of cloud and of fire. They represent the two witnesses in Re.11. Baptism of water and of fire: one is John and the other 'an angel' the little one could be any saint, representing the world of the body prepared for the Son.
I truly sympathies with you. The same thing happen to me when I moved to Denver, a big city and no non-denominational churches would help me with a ride. I just trusted that God would make a way then I moved to where my daughter lived and she took me to church. I know you just moved so I'm not saying that that is the solution for you unless God directs you, but just Pray and trust God to make the way for you to be able to go to church. Just keep your spiritual eyes on opening of doors for you but don't compromise, be sure it's a church you trust. I will pray for you. God Bless :)
Jesus prefaces entering into the God's rest gives the disciples a template. "Humility" is borne out of vulnerability whose faith is like an infant to be dandled upon the knees of its mother. His faith with works creates rest and it is what Jesus wants them to think about. "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."(v.4)
Jesus Christ is the head and the believers form the body. This is the rest God has willed. The members equally draw from the head so there is no question of lesser or greater. For this reason each member is a brother beloved of God. "but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked./That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another./ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it./Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."( 2 Co.12:25-27)
"The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
First point to note is that the beast is a composite figure as the two witnesses represent the saints to whom Jesus Christ gave power according to the promise of God, and are called and blessed in his Son.. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."(Ps.110:2) These enemies on the earth are caused by 'the war in heaven.'(Re.12:7). And the consequence of it we read in v.12. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
This short time is clearly set by the Spirit even as the earthly ministry of Jesus and of the two witnesses. 42 is a number designated by God so the time of the Gentiles or heathen is likewise determined. John was sent as a messenger who was killed by the sword. Herod Antipas, it must be stressed was a vassal king to Caligula as another Herod, Herod Agrippa would have James killed. One killed because of his oath and the other killed James because he wanted to please the crowd. in whichever case the beast is associated with qualities totally antithetical to Jesus. The beast rising out of the sea (Re.13:1) is from below the earth as Jesus is from heaven. He is the king," The Lord sitteth upon the flood."(Ps.29:10) What is the characteristic of the sea? The beast represent the wicked," But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). While we have the likes of Herod whose power is derived from some one else as enemies to Christ, the two witnesses represent an angel a man so the golden reed is their measurement and signify the everlasting gospel entrusted to them. Herod also gave rise to a political movement in the days of Jesus. (Matt.22:15-16)
The '1260 days' is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. The 42 months' similarly is a tag. In an earlier post we saw 'the hour" during which the power of darkness prevailing over the children of disobedience. ( Luke 22:53). The beast as well as the enemies to Jesus who took him in the night belonged to the son of perdition. Judas Iscariot belonged to this group. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us look at the characteristics of the two witnesses. They are representatives of several prophets coming under the earthly ministry of Jesus who is the fulfillment of the law. They were "clothed in sackcloth'. It echoes the mourning of Daniel for three weeks,"(Dan.10:2-3)
"And have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This recalls to us the seven plagues of Egypt" and of Elijah, "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy." In short these two witnesses present a composite picture of heroes of faith(He.11:33-38)
On the flip side the number 42 months gives the beast who is a composite figure. John the Baptist was beheaded under a Herod and we have the beast in the Acts of the Apostles, "Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church./And he killed James the brother of John with the sword./And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."(Ac.12:1-3)
Finally " Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." This temple is not anything extant but what was founded on Zion. (1s.28:16) We see its culmination in Re.21.22-23
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it./... for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(11:3)
Who is the authority to confer power on men but the Lord from heaven, who is heavenly? "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." The risen Christ in his humanity was the Word become flesh, so his authority stretched from Alpha the beginning. In his Ascension he was to be seated on the right hand of the Most High so Omega aspect, the ending referred to fulfilling the divine Will of his Father. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power"(Ps.110:1-3). Firstly the two witnesses belong to 'thy people'. These were given to the Son. "and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."( John 17:11)
The chapter began with a golden reed and the angel directing John what to leave out and what to include requires attention. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This reed is a single measurement. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) Gold signifies faith and here single measurement is of the angel,- the fellow-servant of John and of the man to whom the Son has given authority. Power of the little ones and their angels positioned to behold the face of the Father always defines the golden reed. Every other scale is false.
Prophesy is another feature and the two witnesses would do it for "a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."(Matt.11:11)
The days is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
Let us consider our use of sarcasm as individuals. Does your sarcastic remarks promote was is spoken of in these passages or do they work counter to the objective of these passages?
Eph. 4:1-3
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of your vocation wherewith ye are called, with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Does one's sarcasm promote unity or divide, peace or disturbance in relationship?
Is the sarcasm proceed from lowliness and meekness or does it proceed from pridefulness and self-elevation over another?
Does the sarcasm come forth from longsuffering or is it reactive, a "come back at ya", response? Is it winsome in its intent and effect entreating the other to holy fellowship? Does it show forbearance with another in love or is it" touchy" and self-serving?
Eph. 4:29
"Let no corrupt (unholy) communication proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Is one's sarcasm holy or unholy speech? Does it honor God and respect the person spoken to? Does it build up or tear down the hearer? Does it hurt or heal the hearer? Does it promote equalness in the relationship or does it inflate the speaker to the detriment of the hearer? Does it seek to be cooperative rather than competitive (getting to "one-up" another or win in a discussion)?
Eph. 5:4
"..Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather of giving of thanks."
Is one's sarcasm sober and mindful or foolish talking? Does it make fun of another or "jest" in a way that the other person doesn't like? Are you really "just Kidding, joking, or being humorous" in a mutually humorous and receptive conversation or does the sarcasm come from irritation, anger, or wanting to get at the hearer to put them down or shut them up?
cont.
I'm still studying on our other discussion but I did want to say my sarcasm was meant to make a point. I still haven't heard from Chris that I offended him, as far as I know. I agree with most of what you said. If sarcasm is done in a way that is displeasing to God it shouldn't be done. The sarcasm should be apologized for and the believer should ask God for forgiveness for hurting the other person and to help him to overcome using sarcasm in a hurtful way. God Bless :)
In your post to Chris you did make more than one small sarcastic remark. You even disparaged God in it.
I was not lying in wait for you to error so I could point out your sin. But your remarks prompted me to enter the conversation. I was not angry with you, just sad that you said what you did in a conversation that was centered on whether one can come to the point of being sinless in this lie, as you asserted about yourself. In speaking sarcastically as you did, you were not merely making a point to support your position or to show the error of Chris' view, in my opinion.
I am sorry that you have made the choice to eliminate conversation with some of us here. That is sad to me. I thought you considered me a friend, and I value that. But friends should be able to be honest in gentle ways for the purpose of helping one another, even if it involves showing where we sin against one another.
I hope that you will change your mind and also remember that if you post on this forum, anyone can reply to what you say, so even if you do not wish to speak to me or Adam or Chris, we are free to speak to what you post here. I pray that
God will bring healing and restoration between us as well as help us all to be open when someone identifies sin in what we say here, as I did in your case. The best thing you can do is examine yourself before God and confess yourself a sinner before Him as I and most on here do when we realize that we have sinned, even though our "new man" does not want to sin, as Paul says so well in Romans 7.
But then the matter of 'what then is sin'? I think most would agree that it is much more than violating the Ten Commandments, even as our Lord pointed His hearers to their own hearts to correctly understand this subject. But when it comes down to those regrettable things that arise within us which are not specifically addressed in the Word, we may find license to overlook them & treat them as not sinful, merely aberrations arising from the flesh. So, it may boil down to, 'what is sinful to some, may not be to others' (at least, until all are truly led of the Spirit to recognize sin for what sin is, or to those particularly sensitive to any deviation from the holy, to re-examine their beliefs by the Spirit's Guidance). And I too, have had to re-read my comments here, not only for clearly conveying my thoughts, but also to see whether my words could be hurtful or misunderstood, words arising from a mind overly passionate about the subject. I guess that I have failed in this as well at times. Blessings.
We do need to guard that our passion for a topic or doctrine not override our release of loving words seated in truth and grace.
I can tell by your writings that you do approach your responses with consideration for the one who will read them and to whom you are replying to. You are a good example on this forum and I do appreciate your demeanor and the gentle way you address conflicting views.
Gal. 5:13
"For, brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by live serve one another."
Does one's sarcasm serve the other person lovingly promoting their well being or is it self-serving? Does it look out for the best interest of the other ( Phil. 2:4, 21) and not to your own?
Does it reflect that you are thinking highly of the person hearing the sarcasm or does it show you think more highly of yourself than you ought? ( Rom. 12:3)
Gal. 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."
Does one's sarcasm reflect these fruits in your character and your speech?
1 Cor. 13:4-8
"Charity suffereth long (patient), and is kind; charity envieth not; Charity vaunted not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; Charity never faileth..."
Does one's sarcasm align with how love is described in this chapter?
I will stop for now.
This forum is one of speaking to one another. I know that at times I need to re-examine some of my words to see if I am speaking wrongly to another person here. I know I am not perfect in my speech, it is not all what I would call "holy speech" that God would approve of. And if He would not approve of it, it is sinful.
This post is not particularly addressed to Momsage, although her post brought up this topic and I thought it may be good to speak about sarcasm here as well as other ways we speak to each other here. let's speak the truth in love, see these conversations in a sober manner, taking what others post seriously and respond seriously with grace and love. We should recognize that we are talking about God and His Word and others who deserve loving responses.
Are you talking about the carnal
view ofChrist and the Devine view
of Christ? Am I mixed up?
So when I read Hebrews 12:1, I always get the sense that since those who have gone on way before us & stand in the Presence of God, their lives & faithfulness, in spite of many odds against them, should also be an impetus for us to 'run the race of Christian living & testimony'; a race, not who gets there first, but one that requires patience & endurance reaching the finishing line & the prize - just as those of old did.
But the Hebrews writer doesn't want us to only focus on those saints of old, but to look to Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our Faith (the One Who completed and perfected our faith before God): for He alone is the reason for our salvation, our power & joy to live this life, & Who will receive us into Glory at the appointed time. That 'cloud of witnesses' might have had a good testimony for us to be encouraged to do likewise, but only Jesus could author saving faith & perfect it & us before God by virtue of His great Sacrifice for us & the supreme example He set before us in godly living.
It was inspiring and helpful.
However, I feel there is something
deeper than what has already been said.
"Thank you for your reply. I certainly do want to avoid leading someone wrong. God forbid. In chapter 12, verse 1, I am reading
we also are Those words speaks to me as the time in which he was living."
When the writer of this letter was sent to the Hebrews who resided outside of Israel (it's been suggested, Italy, or thereabouts), he was certainly encouraging them to keep their eyes set on Jesus, patiently running the race of faith in Christ. So yes, as the Hebrews in Italy (?) were being encouraged, so are we to be when reading it.
But if thinking of 'the carnal view or divine view of Christ', apart from verse 2, where the writer encourages us to only look to 'Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our faith', I can't see where one sees Christ from a carnal viewpoint. But if you're thinking that in verse 1, the cloud of witnesses (as those mentioned in chapter 11), were without knowledge of a coming Divine Christ, their Redeemer, then their view was according to the knowledge given them. But if their love for God & faith in Him to keep & deliver them held strong, the merits of the Coming One's Sacrifice would avail for them as well. In other words, their ignorance (carnal view?) of what was to come, would not preclude them from sharing in what we post-Cross have received through Jesus' Sacrifice for our sins. So, I'm unsure whether I've really understood your thoughts here, so I apologize if I haven't & thus your unsatisfied reading of all this.
If you wish, could you expand your thoughts a little on your statement, so we might consider the verse in a different way? There is always the danger of going too far by searching for a deeper or hidden meaning, making the verse say something not intended; and to this we must be careful or else we do great disservice to God's Word, to our own understanding of it, & misdirecting others. So I would be very keen to hear your thoughts on this so that I can try to search for something that you're reading or sensing in there. Thank you.
I have prayed for you along with others on this site.
God bless you.
It's heartbreaking to hear that a fellow believer is going through something like this. But we believe in the power of prayer, and we do pray for Gustavo and also for his family.
The same hour is a tag set by the Spirit so comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake,"(Re.11:13) for instance is the duration of his ministry and the two witnesses are part of his earthly ministry. In short the work of the Son as the Word become flesh has to incorporate the divine will of the Father. One cannot be without the other since it explains the rationale of Father who revealed the testimony through an angel as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name. Consequently when Jesus rejoiced as quoted from the Lucan gospel refers to the babes, they have their presence before God. Hence Jesus warns,"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)
"And he to whom the Son will reveal him"( Luke 10:22). Jesus as the Good Shepherd came to save the lost. In delivering man who is dead in sin and trespasses he reveals the mercy of his Father. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins/Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ep.2:1-2) What is the significance of quickening one who is dead? Everlasting life proof of which is the believer and his angel in the presence of the Father are aligned without any distortion. "the third part of the stars of heaven" being cast out is how the believers in this world have handled the truth in unrighteousness. How we walk the talk has grave consequences on the cloud of witnesses. (Re.12:4) This explains the joy in heaven over the one sheep lost and found.
"Verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." The Spirit is referring the Son who is the Good Shepherd. He is the visible image of the invisible God so all emotions attributed to God must be seen as coming from the Son.
Similarly the Spirit refers to an hour which is with reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ. "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight./ All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him."( Luke 10:21-22)
Jesus at the Marriage at Cana referred,"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."( John 2:4). By the same token he is referring to the wine which is distinctly with reference to the kingdom to come, " But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(26:29) It is thus the Spirit has organized the Salvation Program of God giving a tag for his ministry and his Father's kingdom. When he explains his work he tells his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:" the same hour is the duration of his ministry and the two represents the testimony of the Son which his Father. It is same as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name.
Holiness of God is a name, glory of which is invested in his testimony which is the glorious gospel entrusted to his Son. So when He sent his only begotten Son what is the Will of God? " Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." His concern is for the glory of everlasting life that the one sheep carries. God so loved the world is to bring the glory of the cloud of witnesses match exactly with those who are in the world of the body.
"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."( John 17:6)
"That they may be one" is what the ministry of reconciliation yet remaining. "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them./And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are".(vv.10-11).And when Jesus Christ says,"It is done" it is a signal that way to the tree of life is found. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb./In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life."(Re.22:1-2)
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."
Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. God sent his Son so the lost sheep may be found. Bringing them back into one fold means reconciling both worlds of the Spirit and of the body into one sheepfold. ( John 10:1)
We shall begin with v.11" For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11).
If the sheep lost its way and have not found what it sought is it worth the effort? A sheep is not endowed with foreknowledge as man is. He is a living soul. Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost even after God gave him the wherewithal? The content of His breath into his nostril sums up the Law that He upholds. It is the word of his power. It explains the Law of the Spirit. The principle of Similitude sets reality of Law of heaven with that of the earth. Thus it is two contrary laws of the Spirit warring the law of sin in our vile bodies nevertheless a matter of life and death. In this existential battle everlasting life is what God promised those who are found.
The Spirit uses symbols for both laws, the tree of life for those who found their way back as we say from the case of Adam life of sin originating from his disobedience. This search for the lost sheep began with the commandment of God who sent forth his word that shall never go back in void.(Is.55:11)
In the parable we have the sheep that is ever by the shepherd. "And the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out./And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice./And a stranger will they not follow" ( John 10:3-5). They are the 99 and are content under the Law of the Spirit to stay close "for they know not the voice of strangers." Their glory they know are in safekeeping and the bright cloud is their testimony.
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." A sheep is most likely to wander away in a rugged terrain where the grass is sparse; the shepherd's task is to keep his flock in his sights and wild animals are not likely to dare show themselves while man is about. " For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11)
Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost. God gave them a straight and narrow path. But when the serpent could get them out of their way and look at the way Satan had presented the alternate reality, and it can open a new vista as the word says,"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." It opened the way to another law."And the eyes of them both were opened,"(v.7) The way of the senses, tell a story, end of which is death as God had warned them. The tree of life was where the Law of the Spirit led to. It was a simple test of walking the straight narrow path but man failed. They let Satan to lead and they were lost.
In Adam we all are set in an alternate reality, a make-believe world, " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."(Ro.3:23). Where law of sin like a wolf roams about we shall appreciate God's counset to Cain. "And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."(Ge.4:6-7)
How come Cain could not take it. He was the wicked one a murderer since he let the spur of the moment direct his actions. (4:8) He had no respect for eternity. It is how the law of sin works.
This reply is probably going to get a lot of comments denouncing what I have said. I have lived with the infilling of the Holy Spirit for decades and I am a true child of God who loves Him dearly and I live every day for Him without sin. I do have faults. Sins send us to hell. Faults, are minor character flaws; these do not send us to hell. People who believe in the sinning/christian doctrine refuse to see the difference. Calling someone a bad name IS a sin but if that person upsets you and you just leave while praying for them, the sinning/christian doctrine teaches that since you got upset you sinned. Jesus said darkness and light don't mix. If you have questions about my stand on the false doctrines of gradual sanctification and sinning/christian please let me know. I hope this helps you. God Bless :)
"Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Speaking of the Will we have in this prayer of Jesus, the utter sorrow of our Savior Lord over Judas, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."( John 17:12). 'That the scripture might be fulfilled' refers to the blessings written in the covenant. (Ge.1:28) God blessed them at one lever was about Christ and the church. "Male and female created he them" applied to each believer who stood equally in direct frame of reference to the Wisdom principle (female) and also the Power principle.(Male). In the Lord's prayer we have the power and glory, in which this glory is a constant reminder of the body of Christ. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Forever is a tag for the Son. While we say 'Amen' we are declaring the creed of being one with the Faithful and true witness. When a believer treats like a nostrum and mumbles on auto-pilot mode it is a pointer to the imposter religion salvaged from a pagan cult of Rome has spread inroads into one's worship. Similar to the joy in heaven over one soul finding way back to the sheepfold we are witnessing Jesus with his fan ready to cast the chaff where the wind shall take where it will.
In the king's dream the ten toes tell the miry clay mixt with iron is under judgment. Like the stone cut not with hands judgment should come in series of shocks. there is an earth quake, and the tenth part of the city fell, it is what we read in Re.18:21. Seven thousand of men (7x1000) speaks it is predetermined. The hour of his judgment,- And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen," Babylon is interchangeable with Jerusalem. (Re.11:8). Loss of even one is diminishment to the glory of God.
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)
At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)
The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
"Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."
John according to Jesus Christ was the greatest among born of women, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matt.11:11). In order to understand the two witnesses we are to focus on John as one, who also referred to the baptism of fire that awaits the church. He foretold, " He (Jesus Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."(3:11-12)
The Baptism by Holy Ghost has been fulfilled and what awaits is baptism by fire to which Apostle Peter also referred, "For the timeis comethat judgment must begin at the house of God: and ifitfirstbeginat us, what shall the endbeof them that obey not the gospel of God?"(1 Pe.4:17). St Paul also warns and it is to the imposter church, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is./ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward./If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."(1 Co.3:13-15)
In the Ch.18 the same question of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven threw up another aspect of John. Jesus said, "He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The little one who ever sees the face of the Father in heaven is the second witness representing the fire. For he is an angel in the world of the Spirit. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)
In the wilderness the Israelites were led by pillar of cloud and of fire. They represent the two witnesses in Re.11. Baptism of water and of fire: one is John and the other 'an angel' the little one could be any saint, representing the world of the body prepared for the Son.
I truly sympathies with you. The same thing happen to me when I moved to Denver, a big city and no non-denominational churches would help me with a ride. I just trusted that God would make a way then I moved to where my daughter lived and she took me to church. I know you just moved so I'm not saying that that is the solution for you unless God directs you, but just Pray and trust God to make the way for you to be able to go to church. Just keep your spiritual eyes on opening of doors for you but don't compromise, be sure it's a church you trust. I will pray for you. God Bless :)
Jesus prefaces entering into the God's rest gives the disciples a template. "Humility" is borne out of vulnerability whose faith is like an infant to be dandled upon the knees of its mother. His faith with works creates rest and it is what Jesus wants them to think about. "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."(v.4)
Jesus Christ is the head and the believers form the body. This is the rest God has willed. The members equally draw from the head so there is no question of lesser or greater. For this reason each member is a brother beloved of God. "but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked./That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another./ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it./Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."( 2 Co.12:25-27)