As a wife, mom, gramma, prayer warrior, and citizen, of the United States, I hope to spread the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST with encouraging, enlightening, informative, and uplifting words. Laus DEO! Isaiah 59:21 "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants, from this time and forevermore."
Monday, October 3, 2011
The main purpose for the strange events occurring at the Cross
The hill Golgotha (meaning “the place of the skull”) may have been chosen by God for the reason of being an international interpretation of the place of death. There is death all around us every moment, but this place is the only place where a death (Jesus’ death) freed us from sin. Part of the suffering of sin is when you lose sight of the hope that you have in GOD.
The main purpose for the strange events occurring at the cross when Jesus died, were for the benefit of the lost that they might see God and have an opportunity to receive salvation
In Matthew 27, why was it note worthy to tell about the soldiers dividing up and taking Jesus’ clothes? The world will always come away with some part of God. Most of the time, it will be used for evil. But when someone sees truth, then God can use them. They will be repentant. Intellect is not enough. you can know the bible cover to cover, but if you are not submitted to God, if you are not listening for revelation of the Holy Spirit, you will not see God.
Prophesy is not given to see into the future
Prophesy is not given to see into the future, but is like a landmark to a map so that we know where we are in the LORD. GOD gave prophesy to give us hope and encouragement along the way, and to help us to know we are still on the right path. If you are traveling and you see on a map a river bridge or a small town, especially if you have not been this way before, it is kind of exciting to see the bridge or town because you know exactly where you are on the map. That is usually what prophesy really is. When you see the prophesy fulfilled, you know where you are with GOD.
Who is JESUS?
JESUS was not created after the world began just for our benefit. The scriptures say He has always been part of GOD since before time began.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. He was with GOD in the beginning. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1,14)
(actually, since the Word is JESUS, a better translation would have been, "In the beginning the Word was").
He has been our Savior since before the foundation of the world.The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. It was not just a plan to happen in the future. It had to be done before creation could take place or God would be unbalanced. God had to pay the losses first. He could not create us without propitiation (total payment of sin).
He was with GOD in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)
...all things were created by Him (JESUS) and for Him. And He (JESUS) is before all things, and by Him all things consist. He is the head of the
body, the church; the beginning, the firstborn; that in all things He might have preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him (JESUS) should all fullness dwell. Colossians 1:16-19
And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. (John 17:6)
“Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world. (John 17:5)
JESUS was not born of human DNA, but of His own Godly DNA.
"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name JESUS." “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The HOLY SPIRIT will come upon you, and the power of the MOST HIGH will overshadow you. So the HOLY ONE to be born will be called the Son of GOD. For nothing is impossible with GOD.” Luke 1:32-38
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is CHRIST the LORD. Luke 2:12
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the HOLY SPIRIT was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the HOLY SPIRIT that he would not die before he had seen the LORD's CHRIST. Moved by the SPIRIT, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child JESUS, to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised GOD, saying:“Sovereign LORD, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:26-36
JESUS had a human body, but His spirit was GOD, not man. In 1 John 4:2 and 2 John 7-9 it says
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of GOD: Every spirit that acknowledges that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD. Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge JESUS CHRIST as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world.
In the Strong's greek dictionary for the context for the word “flesh,” in 1 John 4:2-3 and 2 John 7-9. means: "the body as opposed to the spirit or soul; or as the symbol of what is external." JESUS’ humanity was external only; in other words He had a human body, but not a human soul. Since JESUS is and was GOD throughout time and even before time began, He had to have the same nature as GOD the Father and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT or they could not co-exist, because GOD cannot inhabit sin. That is why He could be our sacrifice for sin because He still had the Spirit of GOD, not man.
2Corthinians 5:21 GOD made Him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of GOD.
Because JESUS was divinely conceived by GOD, He was born without the adamic nature that human babies all have. That is the significance of the virgin birth. JESUS was born into the world, not from. JESUS is not the best human being. In the words of Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His highest), He is a being who cannot be claimed by the human race at all. He is not man becoming GOD, but GOD incarnate; GOD taking human form; the Highest coming to us by the lowest door
(Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:35, John 17:17)
It is our adamic nature that leads us to sin— the sin nature that Paul talks about in Romans 8 as being other than and at odds with the righteous nature that CHRIST has imparted to us. Satan makes suggestions that we are vulnerable to because of our sin nature. But JESUS being of divine birth of GOD, had no adamic nature, therefore there is nothing Satan can say or do to JESUS, that ever had any effect.
I have heard it taught that JESUS was “fully GOD and fully man. However that is absolutely impossible.
If JESUS was fully man as well as fully GOD, that would mean that He would also have the adamic nature; which means He would be a sinner like every human born after Adam. He would have sinned and therefore could not be the sinless sacrifice we needed to be our savior. GOD could not exist together with a sinner. Therefore as it says in Philippians 2:6-8 JESUS was made in the likeness of man, in order that He could take on the human frailty, and yet remain sinless.
JESUS never had to be taught to obey His parents or the difference between right and wrong. He had His own Godly righteousness in Him when He was born into this sinful world. In Isaiah it says that when He was a small baby still eating baby food, He knew GOD's truth and rejected wrong.
He will eat curds and honey when He knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. Isaiah 7:15
And the Child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of GOD was upon Him.
When He was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while His parents were returning home, the boy JESUS stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. After three days *(see below) they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers. “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?”
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And JESUS grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with GOD and men. Luke 2:41-52
*(Three days always symbolizes death of something. In this case these three days picture the death of the old dominion of darkness and slavery to sin. JESUS (the boy) is now starting the operation of the LORD. Mary and Joseph didn’t understand at this point, that JESUS was now more that just one of their children. He was now at work for what GOD sent Him for and that work starts with death.)
It says in Hebrews 5:8 that JESUS "learned obedience." The Strong's Concordance says the meaning in this context of learned is "to experience." In other words, GOD being the ALMIGHTY has never had obey anyone. He's GOD, people obey Him. But when JESUS became the likeness of man, He experienced obeying GOD the Father. But since He was still GOD he didn't struggle to obey as we do. Obeying was automatic and involuntary.
JESUS was totally submitted to the Father and never rebelled, resisted, held back or hesitated. JESUS replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of GOD.” Luke 9:62
Even in Matthew 4, in the desert, when Satan tests JESUS, JESUS said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the LORD your GOD, and serve Him only. Matthew 4:10
James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should say, “GOD is tempting me.” For GOD cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is drawn away by his own lusts.
The race set before us
The apostle John wrote that JESUS came to his people, but in general, they did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He made them the children of GOD. What a wonderful concept- to have a living relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth that can never pass away!
The writer of the book of Hebrews compares this present life to something like being in the Olympic games. Each entrant has a time to do his part, maybe running, skiing, swimming, or whatever his field is. While He’s running, his team-mates cheer for him from the sidelines, urging him to keep going, no matter what.
There are some entrants that are disqualified because they don’t play by the rules, and they are put out of the games, but for all who submit to the right standards, there is honor and satisfaction for the effort, even for those who don’t finish in first place.
After each one completes his part of the team’s event, he joins the others on the sidelines to cheer for the ones yet to run. If a runner falls, they urge him to get up and keep going; if a gymnast stumbles, they encourage him to go on and complete his routine, and when all the games are over, and the awards have been given out, there follows celebrations for all who took part, and there’s a great satisfaction from just being in the events, all the pain, the weariness, the hours of practice, are forgotten in the gladness that comes from the accomplishment.
“Tom” ran his part in the games. Like all of us, he made errors, he fell down sometimes, and there were cuts and bruises to prove it. I’m sure there were times when he felt like giving up, but the ones who had run before kept yelling, “Get up, Tom!’, you’ll make it!”
Now Tom’s there yelling for all of us, “Go, go, go!” The LORD Himself, who laid out the course is there at every step to encourage, to bless, and to point out the direction we need.
When it’s all over the victory celebration will come. (read Isaiah 25: 6-9)
Right now, there’s sorrow, but GOD says He will wipe away the tears At this time, we want to urge all of you to let the Lord be your hope. And I’m sure that Tom would agree with that!
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire
The blood sacrifice of live animals did not give a substitutionary sacrifice as an atonement for sin. As it says in Hebrews 9: 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. And in Hebrews 10:4-7 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when CHRIST came into the world, He said:
"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings You were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am It is written about Me in the scroll. I have come to do Your will, O GOD."
GOD didn't want animals to suffer and die for their blood. GOD grieves with all suffering. But we needed a picture and a reminder of our salvation which is through CHRIST's blood only. CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection (DBR) was accomplished for all men throughout time. All we need do is accept our sin and our need of CHRIST as our Savior to be literally placed in CHRIST for His atonement through His DBR.
Galations 2:20 I have been crucified with CHRIST and I no longer live, but CHRIST lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
GOD didn't want sin and He didn't want sacrifice. It is kind of like a fire extinguisher. People don t have fire extinguishers because they like them. We have them because we don't like what fire can do to our homes and property. In that same way, GOD says, "sacrifice and offering is not what I wanted. I wanted My people to be obedient, but they chose to sin, therefore there must be a sacrifice."
We do not have substitutionary atonement. If you need life-saving surgery will it do any good for me to have it for you? Of course not. In the story of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea (Ex. 14), they are trapped on all sides by death; death behind them by the Egyptians; death to the right and to the left of them by desert; death in front of them by the Red Sea. Then Moses (a picture of JESUS) said, “I will take you through death.” If Israelites had tried to go through the sea without Moses they would have died. If Moses had crossed and said, “ok I went through the sea, now you can be saved,” the Egyptian soldiers would have rode up and killed them. This story is a picture of the DBR. There is no substitution. We must go through death, but when we accept GOD's gift of Salvation, He literally put us back through time into CHRIST.
CHRIST carries us through death and we are resurrected with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In Exodus 1:22-2:3, Moses's mother placed him in a basket covered in pitch, and put it in the river. If she had put him in the river without the basket, he would have died. Moses in this story is a picture of us (GOD’s people), the river is death, the word pitch in the original translation means redemption. We will eternally die unless we are placed into JESUS redemption, before being put into death.
Our relationship to GOD is like Judah and Benjamin. Joseph would not except the brothers without Benjamin. Judah tried to exchange himself for Benjamin, but Joseph would not take him as a substitute (just like GOD will not take JESUS as our substitute). Benjamin could not come to Joseph without Judah (we cannot come to GOD without JESUS). Judah must bring Benjamin to Joseph. (JESUS must bring us to GOD) JESUS doesn’t go to GOD without us. He brings us with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. The tribe of Judah is the lineage of JESUS.
The brothers returned to Jacob very fearful and uncertain of the future and what their father would say and do, about them coming home without their brother Simeon, when Joseph held him prison and sent them home for Benjamin. The name Simeon means “hearing.” The brothers were fearful because Simeon was not with them. The Scriptures say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD. When we have no hearing, we can have no faith and then we become fearful..
JESUS not being of this world; being sinless, blameless, could not be held by death. When JESUS went to the cross and took us and our sins on Him, death had hold over Him; the second He died (and us because we were in Him.), death was satisfied and said, “I cannot hold You, You are blameless,” and had no more power over Him or us in Him. JESUS by GOD's power raised us out of the realm of death, and death has lost it sting; the power to make us afraid and to hurt us (Eph. 1:19-20, Eph. 2:5-6, 1Cor. 15:55-57).
Therefore the penalty of sins is not our death, or just death, but JESUS‘s death. What are wages? Payment for work done. What is the work required here: salvation from eternal death. Who can do the work: Only JESUS. Therefore the wages of sin is death (JESUS‘s death), but the gift of GOD our salvation in CHRIST) is eternal life through JESUS CHIRST our LORD. Death is the result of sin not the penalty.
GOD’s law says, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a). In order for the law to be satisfied all sinners must die. GOD’s mercy says, "I know that this man is guilty and I have the power and the right to pass the sentence on him that he deserves, however because of My great love for him, I don’ t want him to suffer" (Ephesians 2:4). The law still demands that the soul that sins shall die. If you have someone who has committed no crime, and someone says, “I will pay his debt,” Is the law satisfied? No. The law demands that the soul that sins shall die. The law is GOD’s profile, His reflection. Therefore the law is perfect, right and true. GOD gave us the law to show us where we are and where GOD is. In order for us to be with GOD, the law must be satisfied.
GOD’s law says, “you’ re a sinner, you must die.” GOD’s love says, “I love him.” GOD’s, mercy says “I don t want him to suffer.” GOD’s righteousness says, “one who has not sinned cannot take the place of the sinner, allowing the sinner to go free.” GOD’s grace then says, “I know how to satisfy the law, righteousness, and mercy. (Eph. 1:7). I will send My Son, not to take his (humanity's) place, but to take him through death” (Gal.2:20, Eph. 2:13-16).
This way the law is satisfied, because we die with CHRIST. (2 Timothy 2:11). Mercy is also satisfied because we are alive in CHRIST through His resurrection (Roman s 6:4-11). Righteousness is satisfied because since JESUS was sinless, He was able to be resurrected. Since we are put into CHRIST’s death, we are now imputed with CHRIST’s righteousness and are therefore able to be resurrected with Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
So JESUS didn’t die for us, or take our place in death. That would break GOD's law. He took us through death. I am crucified with CHRIST and yet I live! (Gal. 2:20)
JESUS put His life in the dirt and death for us, but He put our lives in the palm of His hand.
The story of Joseph is a perfect picture of JESUS and God the Father. Joseph wore four coats. Four is a number that represents JESUS. Joseph had a special relationship with his father. He was given a coat of his father s favor. Jacob sent Joseph to see his brothers (JESUS had a coat of God the Father s favor. JESUS was sent by His Father to us).
Before Joseph reached them, they saw him and were angry and rejected him. (JESUS was hated and rejected in the distance before He got to us). Then the coat of his father's favor was ripped off of Joseph. Joseph was made a slave. (The coat of JESUS’s father's favor was taken from Him and JESUS put on the slave coat of humanity)
Then the slave coat was ripped violently off Joseph when Potifer s wife grabbed Joseph s coat and accused him. (the slave coat of humanity was ripped violently off of JESUS when the sins of the world were put on JESUS). Then Joseph was put in prison. (JESUS was sent to prison of death).
While Joseph was in prison, there were two prisoners (a baker and a cupbearer), who had dreams. Joseph interpreted those dreams. The baker died, but the cupbearer was restored to his place in the palace. Joseph asked the cupbearer before he left, to tell the king about HIM (Joseph). He (the cupbearer) forgot about Joseph until the king had a dream, then he told the king about Joseph. (We are to be like the cupbearer and spread the news of the Gospel to the world. When we don’t do it, we are like the cupbearer who forgot to tell the king. When there is no Gospel, there can be no unity in the family. There was no unity with Joseph and his father and brothers while he was in prison.)
The prison coat was taken off when Joseph was taken out of prison and he was given a coat of authority that was never taken off. (JESUS was raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father and given authority that has never been reversed.)
Hbr 9:7-9
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
The HOLY SPIRIT was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
Hbr 9:11-14
When CHRIST came as High Priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
How much more, then, will the blood of CHRIST, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to GOD, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living GOD!
Hbr 9:24-25
For CHRIST did not enter a man made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in GODs presence.
Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
Hbr 10:1-13
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.
But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Therefore, when CHRIST came into the world, He said:
"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
but a body You prepared for Me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
You were not pleased.
Then I said, Here I am it is written about Me in the scroll.
I have come to do Your will, O GOD.
First He said, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor were You pleased with them (although the law required them to be made).
Then He said, Here I am, I have come to do your will."
He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But when our High Priest (JESUS) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of GOD.
The Perplexing Work of the HOLY SPIRIT
The Perplexing Work of the HOLY SPIRIT
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” - Acts 2:12
The crowd didn’t know what to think.
Picture it this way: You are in this crowd. You are a member of the Jewish faith. You have traveled a great distance to reach Jerusalem, a place where the language is different from your own. You are there to celebrate the annual Jewish festival of Pentecost. Suddenly, in this happy crowd of people you hear something that grabs your attention. You hear the voice of a man speaking to you in your own language. What’s really confusing is that all the people around you – no matter what nation or language they’ve come from – everyone is experiencing the same thing. In that moment, in that slice of time, you really don’t know what to think.
On that day of Pentecost, that was the perplexing work of the HOLY SPIRIT. On that day, the HOLY SPIRIT enabled the disciples of JESUS to speak in languages they had never studied. He did this to proclaim a message that everyone there needed to understand. He did this to proclaim JESUS CHRIST.
The work of the HOLY SPIRIT is still perplexing.
Go to any place where the good news of JESUS CHRIST is clearly present. Why do people take the time to come? Why do people go to the trouble? Why do people often plan their calendars around the opportunity to soak up the message of JESUS CHRIST with others?
It’s all because of the perplexing work of the HOLY SPIRIT.
In the eyes of the world, nothing so plain as the Gospel should be so powerful. Nothing so plain as the Gospel should be so life-changing. Nothing so plain as the Gospel should have such an impact on so many souls.
But that’s the thing about the message of full forgiveness through faith in JESUS CHRIST. It’s the very tool the HOLY SPIRIT uses to change hearts forever.
However, don’t be perplexed by the perplexing work of the HOLY SPIRIT. Instead, rejoice in it.
This daily devotion from whataboutJESUS.com, I believe is the true definition of speaking in Tongues.
It is a gift that is given of the HOLY SPIRIT by His designation, to accomplish spreading a message that you would be physically incapable of doing, then the HOLY SPIRIT speaks through you allowing you to communicate to another in a language you do not speak but they understand.
It is not something you can call forth or learn and after the HOLY SPIRIT has used you as a messenger of His message, you will not retain the use or ability to do with or use as you please. The gift of Tongues is not some strange unidentified combination of sounds but a manifestation of the HOLY SPIRIT for a specific purpose and situation.
The HOLY SPIRIT chooses the messenger, the recipients and the time and place. It still happens according to His choosing today. This happened to my mom when she and my dad where on a mission trip to Russia.
Chosen or Not
For GOD so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
There came a man who was sent from GOD; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of GOD – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of GOD.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:6-14
Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
That if you confess with your mouth JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified. It is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the scripture says, anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same LORD is LORD of all and richly blesses all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of LORD will be saved. Romans 10:9-13
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and the gospel, will save it. Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name, welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me doesn’t welcome Me, but the One who sent Me. Mark 8:35,9:37
Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in Heaven. Matthew 10:32
Everyone who calls on the LORD will be saved.Acts 2:21
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight in love. Ephesians. 1:4
He predestined us to be adopted as sons through JESUS CHRIST in accordance with His pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:5
And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those GOD foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. Those He predestined, He also called. Those He called, He also justified. Those He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:28-29
Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in GOD, also trust in Me. In My Father’s house there are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me, that you also may be where I am. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name so that the Son will bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name and I will do it. If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth. The world can not accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him, but you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father. And I to will love him and show Myself to him. JESUS replied, If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friend, for everything I have learned from My Father, I have made known to you. You did not chose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. John 14 :1-3, 12-18, 21,23, 15:15-16
GOD so loved the world that He chose to give His only son for our salvation. (John 1:6-14, 3:16, 14:1-3,12-18,21,23, 15:16, Matthew 11:28, Romans 10:9-13, Mark 8:35,9:37, Matthew 10:32,
Acts 2:21, Ephesians 1:4) Was GOD sincere in His offer of salvation for all man? If some are predestined to accept the gift of salvation and others are not, then these verses are a mockery for those who have not been chosen, and GOD is responsible for anyone who does not receive Him and is therefore the cause of the sin of man who does not receive GOD’s plan of salvation. Salvation is the design of GOD. If GODd is sincere than whose fault is it, if we do not accept GOD’s plan of salvation? Ours, of course.
He chose to make us friends and not servants, because friends can choose whether or not they spend time with each other. (John 15:15) Now it is our responsibility wether or not we choose Him.
Since GOD is all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, He doesn’t have to go to the past, the present or the future, He is there in the past now, He is here in the present now, and He is there in the future now. Therefore He foreknew everything that has happened in the past as if it is now. He foreknows everything that is happening in the future as if it is now.
GOD says that He has chosen us before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians. 1:4) But GOD didn’t just pick and choose some and not others because that would void john 3:16—Whoever believes on Him has everlasting life. The key word is whoever. So we choose Him, then he chooses the ones who choose Him, to be conformed to the image of His Son.
For example, if you send out 20 invitations to your house for dinner, and only 6 of those invited, come, then those 6 people you will choose to serve dinner to. (Romans 8:28-29, Ephesians 1:5)
What does predestinate mean? Simply to set a final destination. Who is predestinated? First of all remember, Predestination has nothing to do with who is saved and who is lost. So who is predestinated? Let’s say a friend has given you a trip to say, Miami, Florida, your flight may stop in Seattle and Detroit, but your goal is to get to Miami. Your flight has been predestined to a final destination of Miami Florida. The same friend offered me a trip as well, but I did not accept it. Your flight can be predestinated, Mine cannot because I didn’t accept it. Only those who accepted the trip (salvation) can be predestinated. But what are we predestinated for? To be conformed to the image of His Son. (John 3:16, Romans 28-30,)
Ephesians. 1:5 says we are predestinated unto the adoption of sons by JESUS CHRIST Himself. Back then, the adoption of sons (meaning son placing) was a public ceremony given by the child’s natural parents meant to introduce a child into adult society at age 12. After this ceremony, the son was expected to work in his father’s business and behave, more or less like an adult. The parents did not expect him to know everything immediately or act exactly right all the time, because they knew it would take time for him to learn it all. But He was expected to start apprenticing to begin the learning process.
So when GOD says He has predestinated us to the adoption of sons, He is saying “you were born into My family as a baby, and you have lived and acted like a child. Now it is time for you to grow. Now it is time to be about the Father’s business.” GOD’s want to publicly welcome you into GOD’s adult society, you will work hard, stay up late, and make your own decisions (hopefully based on what He will tell you). There will be times when you will make mistakes, unknowingly or intentionally, but in either case He will be there to teach you and to guide you. So predestination does not say whether or not you are in the family of GOD, but what GOD wants to do with those who are in His family.
Our hope is in The LORD
The Isaiah study continues to be fascinating, insightful, and helpful. I thought it was particularly significant in light of the challenges we are all experiencing right now! This study has given me hope and encouragement not to hang on to my fears, problems or circumstances but to lay them completely in the hands of my FATHER, GOD, and SAVIOR.
We are studying Isaiah 40:9-31
We cry out to each other and the LORD. We complain that GOD is not listening and doesn't see or understand our problems and situations. Because of that we make an idol out of those circumstances by saying "all I can see are these problems, I cannot get beyond them. GOD must not be listening. GOD doesn't care."
But if we are thinking these things we must ask ourselves, "are we thinking of the ALMIGHTY GOD or the idol we have made in our fear, doubt and unbelief?"
Is 40: 9-14
Because the LORD says, "You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your GOD!"
See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?
Here is the Creator of the universe, the Maker of all things.
To take from from SM Lockridge,
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings
and He is the LORD of lords.
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's the ALMIGHTY GOD who guides and keeps all His people.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent
and He beautifies the meek.
He's the Wellspring of wisdom.
He's the Doorway of deliverance.
He's the Pathway of peace.
He's the Roadway of righteousness.
He's the Highway of holiness.
He's the Gateway of glory.
He's the Master of the mighty.
He's the Captain of the conquerors.
He's the Head of the heroes.
He's the Leader of the legislatures.
He's the Overseer of the overcomers.
He's the Governor of governors.
He's the Prince of princes.
He's the King of kings
and He's the Lord of lords.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light.
He's indescribable,
He's incomprehensible,
He's invincible,
and He is irresistible.
So if we start to fear and have doubt that GOD is not hearing us, instead of giving these problems that are causing the fear and doubt to our GOD, SAVIOR and KING, we make an idol out of them. The idol doesn't help when we call out to it. It doesn't listen when we pray to it. The idol does nothing when we bow to it. So then we start to think that our GOD will not do anything for us either, and we get discouraged and downhearted and don't call out to the LORD our GOD.
But the LORD says,(Is 40:25-31) "To whom will you compare Me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
So take heart in the valley of the shadow of death, and fear no evil, for thy GOD with His rod and His staff shall comfort thee!
Love & Prayers!
Amy
GOD is the Magnificent, the Awesome Creator
Isaiah 40:12-18 GOD is the Magnificent, the Awesome Creator; vast, infinite, unfathomable, the Instructor. No human has ever invented anything. They have only ever made discoveries as the hand of GOD rests on the shoulder those making the discovery.
GOD is so magnificent and awesome that even His pure creation is not pure enough to show the true beauty and picture of GOD.
We cannot serve the creation rather than the Creator. There is nothing we can compare GOD to.
40:19-20 Special craftsman will make an image to compare to GOD with silver and gold. A poor man will carve a block of wood to represent GOD. But peoples efforts cannot compare to GOD. We cannot measure GOD and yet we think that we have power. Pontius Pilate asked JESUS, "Do you know I have power over you?" Pharoah asked, " Who is GOD that I should fear Him?"
40:22-24 How did these rulers get their power? Because they are in power, does that enable them to retain their power? NO!
GOD set them up and He will tear them down when He is done with them. Our human view is so finite, that things seem immovable, indestructible, and impossible— yet to GOD things can't even be planted and take root, before they are torn out and die!
We congratulate ourselves on some great accomplishment for mankind— and yet to GOD it is just a microscopic spec of GOD and who He is!
40:25-26 People complain that GOD is not listening, and is not hearing us; not taking care of us. We need to ask ourselves— are we looking to an idol or to GOD. If we are complaining— we are making an idol of our circumstances and problems, by saying nothing is happening— when in fact, we are looking to an idol (worry, doubt, anger), rather than trusting in the Maker of Heaven & Earth!
40:31 Humans are always limited by their idols. But when we put our hope in the LORD, He gives strength to the weary, that no one can fathom. There will be no limitations or weakness, but they will rise up with wings as eagles!
41:1-4 The world has been divided into two parts: western and eastern. God stirs up one from the east (Christ the Savior, was foretold to have come from the east, Behold we saw a star from the east) to serve in righteousness. Pontius Piolate said, " don't you know I have power over you?" But actually, earthly kings have only the power afforded to them by GOD. JESUS pursues the power before HIm and subdues it, inviting all people of all time to come to Him for salvation.
41:8-12 The LORD has called us, the LORD's people to spread the Gospel to everyone. He has chosen His people to be the vehicle to accomplish this and will not reject us. Do not be afraid, I am GOD. I will uphold you with My righteous power and strength. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed. You will have enemies, you will have trials, but I will be with you. My strength will be with you. Your enemies will be destroyed.
GOD gives us a new song
saiah 42:15-17
GOD gives us a new song because He has brought us out of darkness and away from idols. GOD provides all our needs. He has called us into righteousness. He will open blind eyes and deaf ears, release prisoners, and bring light where there has always been darkness.
GOD has a purpose for everything. Soon He will will cry out as a woman in labor. The pain is great, but it is the because of an exhaustive work that will bring forth life. He causes things that we would think will stand forever to fail and disappear. But those who trust in GOD will never be forsaken. Those who trust in idols will be condemned utterly. Woe unto them, they have no hope,
Isaiah 42:18-21
Someone once said, " there is none so blind, as those will not see, nor none so deaf as those who will not hear. GOD says to His people,
Those who are choosing to be blind and deaf—
Choose to see and hear the LORD GOD!
The world is blind, but GOD's people a lot of times CHOOSE to be blind and deaf. GOD is speaking, teaching, calling out, helping healing. But even His people refuse to pay attention. Many times to suit ourselves, we choose to not to her or see.
So GOD says, "Hear you deaf! See you blind!"
Isaiah 42: 22-25
Many are trapped in pits (figuratively) that they can't get out of on their own. Many are kidnapped (physically and figuratively) and stolen from the LORD.
GOD says, "Who will accept My invitation? Who will listen and take it to heart?" GOD will sometimes put circumstances in place that will force us to make a choice for or against GOD. L. E. Maxwell wrote a book called crowded to CHRIST that talks about this.
Sometimes when GOD crams us into a corner, we will choose GOD, but many times we will still refuse to repent and take GOD at His word. But GOD is ever faithful. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, CHRIST died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Isaiah 43 :1-3
GOD created us in the physical form, then took us and made us eternal as the Prince of GOD, the chosen people, GOD's property. But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.
Those who have chosen to accept the gift of salvation, He now has a contract with you that He will not break. You cannot get out of it.
He will pour out His fury against the evil and the sin. He has come to seek and save. He is sending floods to wash away the sins we have chosen. He is sending fire to burn out the evil. GOD says this is for our benefit. You will not be drowned. You will not be burned. "I your Savior and GOD have paid the ransom for you. GOD gave you everything of Himself to buy you, so He won't take any amount to let you go. We are big problems to GOD. We are unruly, undisciplined, and disobedient, GOD says we are His problem, "I paid the highest price possible for you and I will not lose you. When I am finished with you, I will have fixed all the problems!"
Is GOD the creator of all things or just some?
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. He was with GOD in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Actually a better translation for the original text would be " In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD."
The reason is that GOD didn't just exist in the beginning, He existed BEFORE the beginning. The Word was already there before the beginning. The Word is speaking of JESUS who has always been with GOD and is GOD.
Here it tells us that GOD made All things not just some, that means He made evil too, according to His purpose. What was His purpose? To share His great love.
So then comes Gen 1:26 Then GOD said, "Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness," in order to share His great love. Because He loved us, He created a wonderous world for us to live in.
However He did not want just robots or puppets who would respond on cue, so He gave us a free will to be able to choose Him. But in order to choose Him, He had to make another choice other than Himself, so He made evil, in order that we could see Him in His glory. (how can you see if something is pure if you have never seen unpure?)
JESUS said in John 8:44 that Satan, the devil, was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Therefore Satan couldn't have been created good and beautiful or JESUS would be lying. Satan was created evil in order that we might see the beauty, majesty, glory, and purity of GOD. When all opportunity has been given by GOD to draw all who will, to repentance and salvation through CHRIST, then Satan and all evil will be cast into Hell and Hell and all its inhabitants will be destroyed, leaving GOD ALMIGHTY and His sanctified people to worship Him for eternity.
What is the purpose of angels?
GOD created the angels to serve His purpose in bringing us to the fulfillment of His divine purpose for us. Servants are not asked to serve, They are commanded. Some angels are warriors, some are messengers, some helpers and protectors. Even Satan is a servant and cannot do anything, even to the smallest measurement that GOD will not tolerate. GOD only tolerates evil for as long as it suits His purpose to bring people to repentance. GOD has created Satan and given him an exact amount of power and ability for the purpose of GOD alone.
Satan is so prideful and pompus that he thinks that he can some how defeat GOD, so he tries, but he will fail completely. JESUS says, He won't lose one, no not one. This is a good example of Romans 8:28, And we know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose for them.
GOD did give the angels one opportunity to choose who they would serve and some did choose to serve Satan. After that one choice, they are commanded not asked. The remaining angels worship GOD along with all the rest of creation, but they were not created to worship but to serve and are obedient to Him. Because of the choice He gave them, God made the angels voluntary servants- not slaves. God has many servants, but no slaves. But their choice was to surrender their will to God, so they always obey Him, and they enjoy wonderful rewards. Those who chose to follow Satan found out that he is a liar, and that choice threw them into a cruel dominion where there is no reward, no mercy, no peace, but only fear and grief with no hope. The Word has a lot to say about this as part of the warning that we need to choose to serve the loving God.
God's offers to us, always call for a willing response which results in peace and joy. Satan's words are always deceptive and false, resulting in fear, grief, and misery. His promises of good things are lies, and they drag people into slavery and death.
We are the only ones GOD created for the purpose of worship and it is to us that the opportunity to serve is given as well as worship. We have to choose to worship and to serve with every single decision we make. However there is one choice we only have to make once. That is the acceptance of the gift of Salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Once we truly accept that gift we can not undo it by our own actions. (see post "Do we have eternal salvation? Psalm 139)
Why did GOD question Adam and Eve and not the serpent?
A question is always an opportunity to change and do what is right. GOD asked Adam and Eve four questions. He gave them four opportunities to repent for their sin. I believe this is another picture of salvation in CHRIST. The number four always represents CHRIST. CHRIST's sole purpose was to give us rescue from death and salvation from sin.
GOD did not asked the serpent any questions. He was really speaking to Satan who had taken on the body of the serpent. GOD did not give Satan an opportunity to repent, because He knows that Satan is 100% evil and cannot repent. Since GOD knows this, that is why He does not mourn Satan.
Here I am It is written about Me in the scroll
The blood sacrifice of live animals did not give a substitutionary sacrifice as an atonement for sin. As it says in Hebrews 9: 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices
being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. And in Hebrews 10:4-7 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when CHRIST came into the world, He said:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings You were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am It is written about Me in the scroll. I have come to do Your will, O GOD.
GOD didn't want animals to to suffer and die for their blood. GOD grieves with all suffering. But we needed a picture and a reminder of our salvation which is through CHRIST's blood only. CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection was accomplished for all men throughout time. All we need do is accept our sin and our need of CHRIST as our Savior to be literally placed in CHRIST for His atonement through His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. Galations 2:20 I have been crucified with CHRIST and I no longer live, but CHRIST lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
GOD didn't want sin and He didn't want sacrifice. It is kind of like a fire extinguisher. People don't have fire extinguishers because they like them. We have them because we don't like what fire can do to our homes and property. In that same way, GOD says sacrifice and offering is not what I wanted. I wanted My people to be obedient, but they chose to sin, therefore there must be a sacrifice.
Also we do not have substitutionary atonement. If you need life-saving surgery will it do any good for me to have it for you? Of course not. In the story of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea (Ex. 14), they are trapped on all sides by death; death behind them by the Egyptians; death to the right and to the left of them by desert; death in front of them by the Red Sea. Then Moses (a picture of JESUS) said, “I will take you through death.” If Israelites had tried to go through the sea without Moses they would have died. If Moses had crossed and said, “ok I went through the sea, now you can be saved,” the Egyptian soldiers would have rode up and killed them. This story is a picture of CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection. There is no substitution. We must go through death, but when we accept GOD's gift of Salvation, He literally put us back through time into CHRIST.
CHRIST carries us through death and we are resurrected with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In Exodus 1:22-2:3, Moses mother placed him in a basket covered in pitch, and put it in the river. If she had put him in the river without the basket, he would have died. Moses in this story is a picture of us (GOD’s people), the river is death, the word pitch in the original translation means redemption. We will eternally die unless we are placed into JESUS redemption, before being put into death.
Our relationship to GOD is like Judah and Benjamin. Joseph would not except the brothers without Benjamin. Judah tried to exchange himself for Benjamin, but Joseph would not take him as a substitute (just like GOD will not take JESUS as our substitute). Benjamin could not come to Joseph without Judah (we cannot come to GOD without JESUS). Judah must bring Benjamin to Joseph. (JESUS must bring us to GOD in Him) JESUS doesn't go to GOD without us. He brings us with Him in CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection. The tribe of Judah is the lineage of JESUS. GOD never said He would save us from death, but He did say I will take you to the place of death and out again. The LORD’s people are not His because of what they do or could do, but because of who they are after being put into CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection. If you are a partaker of CHRIST's Death, Burial, and Resurrection, He gives you His righteousness.
JESUS not being of this world; being sinless, blameless, could not be held by death. When JESUS went to the cross and took us and our sins on Him, death had hold over Him; the second He died (and us because we were in Him.), the law was satisfied and said, “I cannot hold You, You are blameless,” and had no more power over Him or us in Him. JESUS by God's power raised us out of the realm of death, and death, even physical death has lost it sting; the power to make us afraid and to hurt us (Eph. 1:19-20, Eph. 2:5-6, 1Cor. 15:55-57).
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life in JESUS CHIRST our LORD.
The adamic man (us born into the world) by his sinful nature is paid wages for his sins. That wage is death. Death is the result of sin. The penalty that will satisfy the law's demand is JESUS‘s death. No other death will do anything to satisfy the law. But the gift of GOD (our salvation in CHRIST) is eternal life through JESUS CHIRST our LORD.
GOD’s law says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). In order for the law to be satisfied all sinners must die. GOD’s mercy says, "I know that this man is guilty and I have the power and the right to pass the sentence on him that he deserves, however because of My great love for him, I don’ t want him to suffer."(Ephesians 2:4). The law still demands that the soul that sins shall die. If you have someone who has committed no crime, and someone says, “I will pay his debt,” Is the law satisfied? No. The law demands that the soul that sins shall die. The law is GOD’s profile, His reflection. Therefore the law is perfect, right and true. GOD gave us the law to show us where we are and where GOD is. In order for us to be with GOD, the law must be satisfied.
GOD’s law says, “you’re a sinner, you must die.” GOD’s love says, “I love him.” GOD’s, mercy says “I don t want him to suffer.” GOD’s righteousness says, “one who has not sinned cannot take the place of the sinner, allowing the sinner to go free.” GOD’s grace then says, “I know how to satisfy the law, righteousness, and mercy. (Eph. 1:7). I will send My Son, not to take his (humanity's) place, but to take him through death” (Gal.2:20, Eph. 2:13-16).
This way the law is satisfied, because we die with CHRIST. (2 Timothy 2:11). Mercy is also satisfied because we are alive in CHRIST through His resurrection (Roman s 6:4-11). Righteousness is satisfied because since JESUS was sinless, He was able to be resurrected. Since we are put into CHRIST’s death, we are now imputed with CHRIST’s righteousness and are therefore able to be resurrected with Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
So JESUS didn’t die instead us, or take our place in death. That would break God s law. He took us through death. I am crucified with CHRIST and yet I live! (Gal. 2:20)
Read Romans 6
The story of Joseph is a perfect picture of JESUS and GOD the Father. Joseph wore four coats. Four is a number that represents JESUS. Joseph had a special relationship with his father. He was given a coat of his father's favor. Jacob sent Joseph to see his brothers (JESUS had a coat of GOD the Father's favor. JESUS was sent by His Father to us).
Before Joseph reached them, they saw him and were angry and rejected him.
(JESUS was hated and rejected in the distance before He got to us).
Then the coat of his father's favor was ripped off of Joseph. Joseph was made a slave.
(The coat of JESUS’s father's favor was taken from Him and JESUS put on the slave coat of the likeness of sinful man and the sins of the world were put on JESUS. Romans 8:3, Phil 2:7)
Then the slave coat was ripped violently off Joseph when Potifer's wife grabbed Joseph's coat and accused him. Then Joseph was put in prison.
(The slave coat of the likeness of sinful man was ripped violently off of JESUS when He was accused and sent to the prison of death).
While Joseph was in prison, there were two prisoners (a baker and a cupbearer), who had dreams. Joseph interpreted those dreams. The baker died, but the cupbearer was restored to his place in the palace. Joseph asked the cupbearer before he left, to tell the king about HIM (Joseph). He (the cupbearer) forgot about Joseph until the king had a dream, then he told the king about Joseph.
(We are to spread the news of the Gospel to the world. When we don’t do it, we are like the cupbearer who forgot to tell the king. If people don't hear the Gospel, how JESUS died and was resurrected to save us from our sins, it would be just as if He was never resurrected. )
The prison coat was taken off when Joseph was taken out of prison and he was given a coat of authority that was never taken off. (JESUS was raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father and given authority that has never been reversed.)
Faith is also action
Faith is more than believing. Faith is also action through GOD's power. It is agreeing with GOD to allow Him to work through you. Change the words BY FAITH to AGREEING WITH GOD and you will understand this concept:
Hbr 11:3 Agreeing with GOD we understand that the universe was formed at GOD's command,
Hbr 11:4 Agreeing with GOD Abel offered GOD a better sacrifice than Cain did. Agreeing with GOD he was commended as a righteous man, when GOD spoke well of his offerings. And Agreeing with GOD he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Hbr 11:5 Agreeing with GOD Enoch was taken from this life
Hbr 11:7 Agreeing with GOD Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. Agreeing with GOD he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes Agreeing with GOD.
Hbr 11:8-9 Agreeing with GOD Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Agreeing with GOD he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
Hbr 11:11 Agreeing with GOD Abraham, even though he was past age-and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father.
Hbr 11:17 Agreeing with GOD Abraham, when GOD tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
Hbr 11:20 Agreeing with GOD Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
Hbr 11:21 Agreeing with GOD Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
Hbr 11:23 Agreeing with GOD Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born
Hbr 11:24-28 Agreeing with GOD Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He regarded disgrace for the sake of CHRIST as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt. Agreeing with GOD he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Agreeing with GOD he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
Hbr 11:29 Agreeing with GOD the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land
Hbr 11:30 Agreeing with GOD the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
Hbr 11:31 Agreeing with GOD the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Hbr 11:32-36 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through Agreeing with GOD conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
Hbr 11:39 These were all commended for Agreeing with GOD...
All of these saints had one thing in common: They had more than belief. They agreed to move according to and in the direction and power of CHRIST, through the HOLY SPIRIT. They took action through GOD's power. A true picture of faith is in the scripture:
Phl 4:13 I can do all things through CHRIST which strengtheneth me.
Are you master, king and priest?
GOD made man in His image to be kings; an image of His Kingship. He gave us dominion over every earthly thing (Genesis 2:19-20). We were created to be the masters, the kings and priests, to have dominion over the earth and even the sky.
You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created ... (Ezekiel 28:12-15)
The definition of "cherub" in Hebrew is an "image" or "representative picture."
GOD gave us beauty, wisdom, and ability, to build legacies and rule those He had given us with compassion, understanding, and justice. However GOD also gave us a will to choose. Therefore He also created evil in order to give us a true choice. Pride is the highest evil to GOD. Pride is what sets us apart from GOD. Pride says the beauty and abilities that GOD created and set in us are ours because of our own efforts, to do with as we would have, instead of being consecrated to GOD for His service. Because of Pride, we are thrown down from the throne GOD made and gave us. We are no longer, masters and kings, but slaves to sin and death.
In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas."
... but you are only a man ... wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of GOD and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” (Ezekiel 28:2, 12, 16-17)
John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the SPIRIT gives birth to spirit. (Therefore everything we do of our own strength is wickedness and pride. We are born into the world as flesh but by CHRIST's death, burial and resurrection, we are born into the SPIRIT.)
The flesh has many forms. It will not always appear evil, deceitful and ugly. It can appear, cultured, educated and even godly. It will often times play possum to make you think it is dead, but self will thrive in any soil that is not completely submitted and tilled by CHRIST. Self will always be the last idol to fall. Self love is blind, subtle and so strong it will lead a man into a fool’s paradise until GOD shines His spotlight of truth on him and spoils his vain opinion of himself. Then it is man’s choice to choose repentance. Only then through the work of CHRIST, working in and through us are we able to again be the masters, kings, and priests GOD the Father created us to be.
Rom 7:18 -19 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do —this I keep on doing.
Read Romans 6
As we travel through life in this mixed and muddled state, our very virtues are tainted with the flesh and the touch of death corrupts all we do. Although redeemed from Egypt, through the Red Sea (a picture of CHRIST taking us through His death, burial and resurrection), we do not dwell in the land GOD set out for us; the land of milk and honey. Instead our habitat is found in wandering in a wilderness of divided affection between flesh and Spirit.
Everything we do will be a mixture of good and evil; our humility will generate pride; our charity to others will lead us to nourish our own self love; our increased prayers will cause us to value our efforts in holiness and sanctity.
We can only have victory over life if we lose it in CHRIST. (Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.)
It is not enough to accept the work of the cross and then go on our merry way. We must submit the old man daily, to the work of the Cross. This is not to say that our salvation is in jeopardy because of our choices and actions; the new man redeemed through CHRIST’s death, burial and resurrection is forever in eternity saved to reign with Him, but while we are tied to the physical sinful nature, we must constantly submit the old man to CHRIST for Him put the old nature to death on the Cross.
Do you want to be restored to master, king and priest?
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of GOD's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD —this is your spiritual act of worship.
Living as More than Conquerors
Do you sometimes feel adrift and cut off from GOD? Do you sometimes wonder if GOD is ignoring your prayers and supplication?
When we repent of our sinful nature and call out to JESUS for salvation through His death, burial and resurrection, we are made more than conquerors! When we don’t experience the victory of a conqueror, it not the situation or circumstance that is the problem, it is because we aren’t living AS conquerors. Just imagine if you found a homeless person that seemed to be without hope or resource, and after you attempt to help him, you find that he is actually a multimillionaire! You would go to him and say, why are you not living the prosperous, victorious and successful life you have all the means and resources to live?
Our GOD and Father asks us the same question: Why are you not living the victorious life that you are entitled too and have all the means and resources to live?
It says in Psalm 118:24 — This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you.
We tend to rejoice and be glad in the days that are good for us, where circumstances and situations in our lives come together easily and happily, with no problems or difficulties.
But it says in Psalm 118:24, “THIS IS THE DAY which the LORD hath made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.” That means every and any day!
And GOD says, Pray without ceasing. In EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you. So GOD wants us to be thankful no matter what the situation or circumstance that comes into our lives. Circumstances and situations in our lives may be divinely providential, forced on us from the enemy, or created by us. Regardless of how these “things” or “events” wind up in our lives, it is not for us to reason why; only to remember that GOD wants to and will use all of it for our good no matter where it comes from. At no time should we let them obscure the face of GOD. A wise man once said,” Circumstances prove not to hide GOD but to be a place to meet Him.”
The selfish sinful world is constantly whining about its circumstances and most of the LORD’s people are rarely better. It is not for us as saints to question or beg GOD to change them either. The Apostle Paul said, I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Yet most of us fretfully and restlessly chafe for change. However, until we are willing to allow CHRIST to work the victory in the midst of present circumstances, be they good or evil, why would we suppose we could have victory in any other circumstance?
Fretting or fighting, grinning and bearing it with dogged determination “to suffer through,” will not win us victory. Victory in CHRIST comes only when we in acceptance of all situations and circumstances submit them to GOD the Father for His glory and purpose. This is where the joy of the LORD becomes our strength as it says in Nehemiah 8:10. Then GOD is able to work all things together for good to them who love GOD and we find rest for our souls. In the story of the Ten Boom family, they were put in a concentration camp by the Nazis for helping Jews. Betsy Ten Boom, in spite of the horrible living conditions, tortuous hard work, pain, and suffering, was able to see the beauty of GOD around her and embraced the joy and strength of the LORD.
I heard of an old saintly farmer who understood this truth and lived by it. He wrote “GOD is love” on his weather vane. Someone asked, “Are you saying GOD’s love is as changeable as the wind?”
“No,” he said. “Whichever way the wind blows, GOD is love.”
That story reminds me of something GOD told me. It was as if it were audible, but not so any one else around me could hear it. My daughter and I work commercial shows as sales reps. We do a lot of travel and some outdoor shows even in bad weather. As we got ready very early in the morning to travel to one outdoor show, we noticed the storm moving in the direction of the show location. “LORD, please stop this storm from coming to the show area, please make it not rainy or windy at the show.” I heard the LORD reply to me, “Why are you telling me what to do? Instead ask how you should respond to what I give you!”
I was immediately humbled and contrite! I told my daughter what the LORD had said to me and from that very moment we both committed to always in every situation to stop complaining about it to GOD and instead, ask “LORD how would You have us respond in the circumstance or situation we are in? How can we show the love of CHRIST to others who are there with us? Help us to be who You would have us to be today where ever we are and to lift up others by being a blessing and ministry to them in the midst of what ever they are dealing with!”
Now every time we are obedient to this answer from the LORD, we are victorious! It seems especially now at this time of our history that our days are filled with hurry and worry. But GOD’s first command to us is the one He gave Moses and the Israelites: 1Sa 12:16 — “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!” Ps. 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God!” Ps. 37:7 —“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him."
Although standing still may seem like the last thing you should or even could do, it is then that GOD is able to kill our panic and give us His rest. It doesn’t matter what the situation, weather, sickness, job or lack of, money management or lack of, house, vehicles, possessions, or dealing with people: give all to GOD and listen for His direction and leading; then He will turn IMPOSSIBLE into I’M POSSIBLE through His work in and through you. Phl 4:13— I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Gal 2:20 — I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
GOD demands the impossible because He knows only through Him are all things possible. In order to be more than conquerors, we must be willing to submit all things, great and small for His divine wisdom, direction and provision. But GOD in His omnipotence, knows we must be hemmed in, “shut up to faith” and “crowded to CHRIST” as L. E. Maxwell explains in his books, Born Crucified and Crowded to CHRIST, before we will turn to Him for His rest and allow Him to work in and through us. We have to be walled in by trial, circumstance, disappointment, and despair many times before we will turn our hearts and minds upward for Him to rescue us. JESUS was not sent to take us out of the storm but to take us through the storm.
So many Christians, myself included are tossed, feverish and restless, agonizing and unsettled over any given situation. Why is that? It is because we are like a young ox who has not learned and become accustom to the yoke. Fear of the unknown causes us to cling even to the hurtful past because at least we know what it is. And yet we are authorized to partake of sublime joy and rest when we take the offer of our Saviour as it says in Matthew 11:28-30 —
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
If we look at the outward appearance of our circumstances, we will become discouraged, fearful and depressed. Then we say it is hard work to please GOD and He gives us a heavy cross to bear. It is only when we see that when we are yoked with CHRIST, He doesn’t taken away the heavy burdens, He bears them, with His shoulders, so that part of the yoke on ours is easy and light.
Sadly, our unbelief causes our disobedience which brings with it, covetousness, pride, worldliness, and sin.In our unbelief, we cannot accept that GOD has overcome the world and made us conquerors. We covet things of the world: money, possessions, fame and honor. In our pride we say we need these things to share the Gospel and to honor GOD, but in truth it is only ourselves we wish to honor and esteem. Our pride will not let us as teachers, pastors, and Christian workers to be humble learners. We allow our families, churches, and businesses to be dominated by the world and its views and pay homage to the lettered and the influential. Rather than be looked upon and called “ignorant and unlearned, we begin to adjust, trim and square our selves to the world’s standards instead of GOD’s. But remember and be encouraged: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33
You are of GOD, dear children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. — 1 John 4:4
Do people who have been Born Again, still sin?
Think about this: Deuteronomy 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even down to the tenth generation. Now think about Ruth, the Moabitess, who is the great grandmother in the line of CHRIST. Isn't that a direct contradiction of the decree of GOD? Ruth was a first generation Moabitess and the scripture says NO Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD. How can this be reconciled? Does GOD just look the other way and allow Ruth the Moabitess to be in the direct line of CHRIST the Saviour? That would violate GOD Himself, which is utterly impossible, so how can this be?
The answer is Ruth the Moabitess was reborn. She is no longer a Moabitess. She was reborn into GOD's lineage and therefore is now no longer in conflict with GOD's decree. Ruth 1:16 Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your GOD my GOD.
This is exactly what happens to us. We are born sinners and have absolutely no hope of salvation from death. Then GOD made CHRIST who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of GOD. (2Corintians 5:21) Then we are put into CHRIST and brought through the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST. Ruth having been a Moabite, is similar to being a sinner. Ruth was born with the title of Moabitess, when she committed to Naomi, her status changed —she was reborn with the title of Israelite.
Because we has been reborn a child of GOD, so are we no longer sinners but the righteous in CHRIST.
The term “sinner” is not talking about what you do, but who you are. For example a slave is always a slave, no matter if he is working, eating or sleeping. Regardless of what he does he is always referred to and wears the title “slave.” Slaves have no choice.
Luke 15:7 states that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. A sinner who repents from his sin and realizes his need for the saving grace of CHRIST is then put into the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST and then becomes a new creation in CHRIST. He is now no longer a sinner. Who he is, has been changed.
Think about the Hebrews after they crossed the Red Sea. Are they still slaves? NO. When they crossed through the Sea, they were immediately set free from Pharaoh. Before the Red Sea, their title was "slave." After crossing the Red Sea, their title changed from "slave" to "free" When we are put into CHRIST, we are immediately made free men. But the Hebrews for their entire lives have done slave work, so what will they most likely try to do first thing after they cross? Before they were freed, they had no choice. After being freed, they could choose what to do and it was very easy to do what they always have done: slave work, unless they listen to Moses, who was directed by GOD. A new Christian will still volunteer to do his previous slave work, (sin) unless he chooses to be under the direction and control of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Now that I have been put into the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST I am no longer a slave to sin and therefore I no longer bear the title of "sinner." While we live in this world, we are still tied to the old nature, however we are the new man, not the old and now bear the title of “righteous”
Because of the old nature we still sin, but that doesn't make us sinners. For example, a dog is not a dog because he barks. A dog can be trained to act in a way not natural to him, but that doesn't make him anything other than a dog. Eventually the dog will revert back to what is natural to a dog. Chimps can be trained to put on clothes and act similar to children but they are not children because they act like children, they are still chimps. I could speak German but that doesn't make me a German. You have to be born of German parents to be German. What I am saying is that we are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we were born sinners. By the same token, we cannot be Godly, unless we are born of GOD. That is why we need to be "Born Again." When we are born again in CHRIST, we are no longer "sinners," we are righteous because we have been born by CHRIST’s blood into GOD's family. Once we have accepted the gift of Salvation through CHRIST, we longer wear the title of “sinner.”
Having been been “Born Again,” we now have two natures, because the adamic sinful nature is still tied to us until we physically die. We still retain the old nature, while in the phyiscal body, but that is not who we are, because GOD has given us a new nature. If we are not submitted to CHRIST, we will still sin. As we grow in the LORD and more and more submit our ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to work in us and through us, our righteous nature from CHRIST, which is now our true self will begin to be more and more evident and the old nature less and less evident.
Make no mistake —I am not sayng that we do not sin — but that we no longer wear the title of “sinner.” We now wear the title of “righteous” that says who we are, not what we do.
We can not do anything of ourselves, but must be completely submitted to the control and work of the HOLY SPIRIT as it says in Ephesians 2:9. As new creations in CHRIST, we do not have the power or ability to control the old nature in ourselves. We must be submitted to the power of CHRIST working in and through us.
Phlippians 4:13 I can do all things through CHRIST which strengtheneth me.
Ephesians. 2:11-13 says formerly we were sinners, separate from CHRIST, excluded from citizenship without hope and without GOD. But now in CHRIST JESUS, you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of CHRIST.
Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer sinners, but fellow citizens with GOD and members of GOD household, We can no longer be sinners and be part of GOD.
Galations 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free.
Galations 5:16 So I say, live by the SPIRIT, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galations 5:24-25 Those who belong to CHRIST JESUS have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the SPIRIT, let us keep in step with the SPIRIT. (in other words let the HOLY SPIRIT work in and through us)
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the LORD, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. And yet we must remember, that it is not us.
Galations 2:19-21 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for GOD. I have been crucified with CHRIST and I no longer live, but CHRIST lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of GOD, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, CHRIST died for nothing!"
These scriptures here are speaking of the new man. In other scriptures the continuous battle with the old nature is addressed, here however we learn that our new nature is no longer a sinner, but reborn with the righteous nature of CHRIST.
Is Satan the ruler and god of this world?
Many people mistakenly believe that Satan is the ruler and god of this world. However, the truth is, that there is but one Ruler and GOD of this world and all others. Satan has usurped the position but that doesn't mean it has been given to him to hold.
Here is what the Sovereign LORD GOD ALMIGHTY says,
Isaiah 45:5-6 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no GOD. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Isaiah 45:9 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?
Isaiah 45:12 It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.
Isaiah 45:16 All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together.
Isaiah 45:17 But Israel (not only the physical place or people, but ALL that have called on and chosen as his own, the name of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY) will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.
Isa 45:18 For this is what the LORD says— He who created the heavens, He is GOD; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— He says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isa 45:21 Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no GOD apart from Me, a righteous GOD and a Savior; there is none but Me.
Who is Satan really?
Is Satan really a fallen angel who was once called Lucifer? Was he in the beginning the most beautiful of all GOD’s angel but because of his arrogance cast from the throne of GOD in Heaven to the earh below?
This common teaching comes primarily from Ezekiel 28.In verse 2 it says, In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas."
And continuing on in verse 12-17: "You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of GOD; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of GOD; you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of GOD, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.”
Let’s look at this scripture carefully to discover and understand the true meaning. [comments to the scripture are in brackets]
In verse 2 it says, In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." and continues on to say: But you are a MAN and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.
[Satan was never called a man by GOD. When creating humanity, GOD said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.]
Eze 28:3 Are you wiser than Daniel ? Is no secret hidden from you?
[Satan is by knowledge, wiser than Daniel. GOD was saying Adam was not.]
Eze 28: 4-5 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.
[Satan is not interested in gold and wealth. Increasing and amassing wealth is only an interest of man. So if it is not Satan that these scriptures are referencing, who are they speaking of? The answer is Adam, the father of mankind. Every man in the world has taken the stand that they are GOD; that is why there are wars.]
Eze 28:6-10 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.
They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas.
Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.
You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken,” declares the Sovereign LORD.
[This is the beginning of the death of mankind; the entrance of the curse of death upon the world. This passage is not speaking of Satan because it says “ruthless foreign nations” will come against you and kill you with the sword. Satan is not killed by any man, therefore once again we know this passage is not talking about Satan, but about man.]
'Eze 28: 12-17 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
[In Gen 1:26 GOD said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. Man is the only being that was made the model of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty. Even the pure creation of the earth with mountain, trees animals was not to be compared with the creation of man.]
You were in Eden, the garden of GOD; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you.
[Satan was never the keeper of the Garden. Adam was the keeper and should have immediately reported an intruder in the Garden. Adam was not only the keeper of the Garden but also the protector of Eve. But Satan did not introduce himself to Adam, therefore Adam did not know who talking to him. He did not know the serpent was a liar.
John 8:44 says Satan, the devil, he was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
If Satan started out good, GOD would have mourned him turning bad. GOD says He now mourns for man. GOD never mourns for Satan. JESUS didn’t die for the salvation of Satan. GOD knew we could not see the true worth, beauty, and majesty of ALMIGHTY GOD without an alternative, therefore He created evil in order to give us an honest choice. But that doesn’t mean that GOD is evil in any way shape or form; not even a particle; nor does GOD ever want us to take the evil choice. GOD didn't want robots or puppets who only respond with a jerk of a string or the push of a button, so that is why He created us with the free will to choose. But in order to choose there must be choices. Since there only one GOD, He made another choice, Satan, the evil force. Here in these verses of Ezekiel, GOD is lamenting our sin. He knew we would fail. The Gospel is the only rescue from sin.]
You were on the holy mount of GOD; you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of GOD, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
[We were created blameless and upright to walk on the Holy Mount of GOD but GOD wanted to give us a choice to freely choose Him, so an alternative had to be made. Evil only exists to serve GOD’s purpose of giving us that choice. Once that is done all evil will be destroyed.
A cherub is to be a representative; a picture; an image of something real, — like a photo is a representation of a the person shown. A cherub is to be a badge or representative of something much greater. The word “anointed” means “to cover over” or “cover with” and also means “with out-spread wings.” Adam (representing all humankind)) was created perfect and the cherub or image of GOD who is so awesomely much greater. Adam was appointed as the Annointed Cherub.]
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth.
[As side note, scientists have often wondered, what the purpose for the sholderblades are? Could it be that that in our original creation, they were the mounts of wings? And before man sinned, he had wings which allowed him to not be bound to the earth?
After the fall of man GOD said He threw him to the earth, but not just to the ground (not able to fly anymore) but to the place of groveling. Now instead of being the master of earth and sky, the
keeper of the garden and everything in it, we must grovel; we must toil and work and slave to live.
Gen 3:17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat of it,Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
[Notice that GOD did not curse man but the ground which man inhabited. The reason is that if GOD had cursed man, there would be no way for us to be saved through CHRIST.
Gen 3:16 To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."
And in Genesis 3:14-15 to the serpent in which Satan indwelled GOD said, "Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers (which is CHRIST); He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel."]
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