THE POWER OF GOD - Part 3

THREE ASPECTS OF GOD’S POWER

There are three aspects or elements or components that make up God’s supernatural power in us.
His Dunamis power (which we receive in our spirit when we are born again).
His Kratos might (which mainly operates in our soul).
His Ischus strength (which mainly operates in our bodies).

The following Scriptures refer to all three of these elements of God’s power in the same verse:
Eph 1:19

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power [dunamis] to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty [kratos] power [ischus],
KJV

Eph 6:10-11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong [endunamoo] in the Lord, and in the power [dunamis] of his might [ischus].

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
KJV

Col 1:11

11 Strengthened [dunamoo] with all might [ischus], according to his glorious power [dunamis], unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
KJV

The different Greek words can be a little confusing unless we understand the simple meanings behind each one. In the English language, we often are quite sloppy with our use of words. For example, we say “I love my husband/wife.” Then we use the very same word to describe our fondness for desserts: “I love ice cream!” The Greek language is much more precise. It has specific words to describe each of the above emotions. This is what we are encountering here. Once you understand the meaning of each of these words for power, it makes total sense. And, prayerfully, it will help you have more understanding of the importance of God’s power in your life.

Resurrection Power – Dunamis (Strong’s #1411) (in our spirit and heart)

The Greek word most often used in the Bible for the supernatural power of God is the word dunamis (Strong’s #1411). Dunamis means divine ability, inherent power, the power belonging to the essential nature of something. It means to have the capacity to carry something out; the strength to implement the idea; to take a thought and make it an action. It’s power to make strong or forceful or mighty. In the English language, it led to the term “dynamite.”

Dunamis is God’s power and His ability residing in us; it’s His inherent power to carry something out. Hebrews 6:5 tells us it’s the power of the world to come.

God’s dunamis power gives us the supernatural ability to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. It’s the only power that can break the power of sin, the power of the devil and the power of death. Suffice to say, dunamis is divine empowerment. In other words, dunamis almost always points to a new and higher force that has entered us and is now working through us. Again, this is God’s “treasure” in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:6, 7).

When we become born again, we receive God’s dunamis power in our spirit. At this time God’s Holy Spirit unites with our spirit. However, His dunamis power cannot be released until our own spirit and heart are cleansed (Ps. 51:10). In other words, God does not give supernatural power to the “old man,” only to the “new one.” Therefore, one of the reasons we lack power in the Christian body is because God’s Spirit in us has been quenched or blocked. Rather than cleanse ourselves from the “flesh,” we often chose to follow our own self-centered ways. If this is the case, not only will God’s love be blocked in our hearts, but His resurrection power will also be unable to operate. Thus, at this moment, we will not be partakers of His nature.

Might - Kratos (Strong’s #2904) (in our soul)

The second aspect or element of God’s power in the Greek is kratos – an absolutely fascinating Greek word.

Kratos means “mastery over self,” self-control or power to rein in (like the reins of a horse) – it literally means “to rein in.” God’s kratos power reigns in our “self-life” (our soulish life) and brings it into captivity so that “God’s life” (from our hearts) can come forth. Luke 21:19 says, “…in your patience rein in your souls.” Reins are often associated with our mind and our choice: “reins or cords of Love” which are held by the Lord or “reins or cords of sin” which are held by our own “flesh” and even sometimes the enemy.

Kratos is power to “put off” our sin and self and then power to “put on” Christ. It’s God’s power to perform His will. It is often associated with the Greek word “authority” (exousia). God supernaturally gives us the authority not only to choose His will, but also the power to perform that will! What good is it to know God’s will if we don’t have the strength or power to carry it out?
Phil 2:13

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
KJV

It is actually saying that we choose by faith to do God’s will, and He then enables us to accomplish His will, regardless of how we feel. He gives us supernatural kratos to set aside “self” and to act out of His love and His wisdom.

Kratos is “Spirit-control,” the power to exercise our free choice, knowing that in His timing and way, God will change our emotions and thoughts to match the faith choice we have made. Humanly, this is completely impossible, but with God’s power it is. Naturally, we are unable to change our own negative thoughts and emotions, especially in a trial. However, this is the very time we must choose by faith to put in charge the Person who can change our natural feelings and thoughts, and that, of course, is God and His Spirit of power.

Kratos is God’s supernatural might to take what He has told us in His Word and implement it in our lives, no matter how we feel. We must make the choice, but then the “kratos might” of God will help us set aside the natural strength of our soul and accomplish with He desires in our lives.

For us to become “overcomers” we have to allow kratos to work in our lives. An overcomer is simply one who is free from self to serve God, one who has faith to appropriate the kratos might of the Lord in order to conquer sin, self and the devil (1 John 5:4). These are those that are willing to choose God’s will regardless of how they feel or what they think, and then trust His power to perform that will in their lives.

Kratos then is God’s power in action. This kind of power is applied by and implemented through a “faith choice” a choice we make by faith, not feelings, to do what God has said, regardless of how we feel, what we think or want. By being a cleansed vessel and praying “not my will, but Thine,” the kratos power of God can overcome whatever our flesh naturally wants and instead, enables us to do what God wants.

Strength Ischus (Strong’s #2479) (in our body)

This is the final of the three elements of God’s power, the ischus in the Greek. This is the visible power or the expressed strength and ability that God bestows upon us. Kratos and ischus often go together. God gives us the ability to choose His will (kratos) and then the ability and the strength to perform that will in our lives (ischus).


Mark 12:30

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength [ischus]: this is the first commandment.
KJV

God has provided the necessary power to do His bidding, let us “let go and let God” work through us.

THE POWER OF GOD - Part 2

GOD’S RESURRECTION POWER

Before we became believers, God’s Spirit of Power works with us (para), leading and drawing us to Himself:
Acts 19:2

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
KJV

In response to our personal invitation, God’s Spirit of power comes in us (en) and indwells us. He unites our spirits with His and gives us a brand “new” spirit and heart. This is called “the new birth,” being “born again” or “justification.” At this time, Christ implants us with His Life-His Love, His wisdom and His power-in our spirits and hearts, and we become the temple of the Holy Spirit.

In response to our asking, the Spirit comes upon us (epi) for the sake of empowering us. This is called “the baptism of the Spirit” or the infilling of the Spirit:
Acts 1:8

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
KJV

Here the words of Jesus to His disciples:
Luke 24:49

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
KJV

Matt 3:11

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
KJV

Acts 1:5

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
KJV

The baptism of the spirit is God breaking through our “soulish” and physical realm. It is the beginning of our “outer man” (our soul) being subjected to our “spirit man” (our spirit). It’s the power to become a genuine witness of Christ, not just in our words, but also in our lives. Without this empowering, we will be just like the believers in 2 Timothy 3:5 who had a “form of godliness,” but who “denied the power within.” These were Christians who knew the Scriptures in their heads, but they did not use the power God gave them to transform their lives.

(Both of the above, the indwelling and the empowering, should happen at the same time. But, for many of us, they occurred on separate occasions.)

Then we must be daily refilled (pleroo) with God’s Spirit of power from the inside out.
Eph 5:17-18

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
KJV

The verb “be filled” here means to be continually filled and empowered. This step differs from the first two steps in that it’s now our own responsibility to stay cleansed, refilled, and empowered.

This last step is the beginning of the process called “sanctification” and the Bible calls, “the saving of the soul.” This soulical part of man will constantly have to be worked at until the day we are taken out of this life. This is what we will realize or fail to realize at the judgment seat of Christ – the salvation or loss of our souls. Our job is to make the right faith choices, and stay open and cleansed vessels so God can do the changing. He is the One who judges us, purifies us, strengthens us, trains us, and then teaches us how to walk.
2 Cor 7:2
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
KJV

Consequently, it is imperative that we not stop at the first step of salvation or justification (sorry to say most Christians stop there); but we continue in the process to the saving of our souls.
1 Peter 1:9

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
KJV

Galatians 5:25 explains: “If we live in the Spirit [if we are born again], we must also [learn to] walk in the Spirit.”
Eph 5:18

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
KJV

It’s the Spirit of Christ’s resurrection power that renews our minds, that transforms our lives, and teaches us to become overcomers.
So first the Spirit brings us to Christ and gives us His Life, and then He wants to empower us so we can reflect Him in all we do. Listen to the words of the apostle Paul:
2 Cor 4:7-10

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

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

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

GOD'S DIVINE POWER

THE POWER OF GOD

Personal union with Christ gives believers divine power.
2 Peter 1:3

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
KJV

And as we live for Christ in a way that’s pleasing to Him, our experiences are even greater.
Heb 6:5

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
KJV

This saving power of Christ will deliver us from the power of sin, from the draw of the world and from the influences of the devil. All the above, however, rest heavily on whether or not we are in the Word on a regular basis. (Sin will keep us from the Word, but the Word will also keep us from sin).

This overcoming power protects us, preserves us, guides us and keeps us from falling:
Ps 138:3

3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
KJV
This is the same as the apostle Paul referred to as the “power of His resurrection.”
Phil 3:10

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
KJV

God’s resurrection power not only strengthens us, it enables us and keeps us. God imparts His resurrection power to each of us the moment we believed so that we, too, can overcome the enemy, proclaim the message of the gospel and persevere to the end. We must learn to walk in the Spirit, not our flesh. Christ must be the power source of our lives, or everything we do will end up being “wood, hay, and stubble.”
Acts 1:8

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
KJV

LIVING THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE

GIVING OUR LIVES TOTALLY TO CHRIST

It is natural for the average Christian to tell you that his or her life is totally surrendered to Christ, but is that really true?

The Scripture says we ought to see that which occurred in the lives of the children of Israel that was taken out of Egypt and understand that the same thing will happen to us if we take the path they took. Remember the purpose God took them out of Egypt was to inherit the land promised to them, Canaan. So we are saved from the world of sin (Egypt), to inherit the kingdom promised to us and this Christian walk for us is exactly what the walk through the wilderness was for the children of Israel. We might want to pay special attention then to the warning of Hebrews 4:1.

1 Cor 10:5

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
KJV

1 Cor 10:11

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
KJV

It is interesting to realize that if we are going to be honest, for most of us Christians; God has only a part of our lives there are some things that we hold on to and try to control on our own. That is in no way an indication that we are not genuinely born again. The apostle Peter in Matthew 16 was genuinely saved when he aligned himself with Satan rather than the things of God and Jesus had to reprimand him:

Matt 16:23
…..Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
KJV

God is not satisfied with just indwelling us, (as He does the moment we trusted Christ); but He wants to be the controller or our lives, He wants to shine His light through us, He wants to love His love through us. The way this happens is for us to completely surrender our lives to Him so He can give us His own; He doesn’t just want to be "a part" of our lives, He wants to be our very life itself:

Phil 1:20-21
………so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
KJV

God wants us to know and to experience His unconditional Love, not only for ourselves, but to pass on to others. He wants us to have His own supernatural Wisdom and discernment, so we can know when and how to love wisely. And He also wants us to have His supernatural Power and ability so we can live the Christian life as we are supposed to. In other words, God wants us to know and to intimately experience His own abundant Life.

However, it has to be our own choice to seek and to have this kind of life; until that time God will continue to be just “a part” of our lives. Quite often, because He loves us so much, He helps us along with our decisions by allowing situations into our lives that we, in our own strength, cannot handle or control. He cares for us too much to allow us to remain stagnant. He therefore, “corners” us, hoping that we will finally quit going our own way and choose to go His way. If some of His biddings are occurring in our lives, (I mean some of those that might not even be pleasant), it might be time to “let-go-and-let-God.” Remember the words of the prophet Ezekiel to the children of Israel?

Ezek 18:24-25

24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
KJV

You don’t understand what God is allowing in your life? Often I don’t understand what He is doing in mine either and I am sure there are many others like us.

Isa 55:9

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
KJV

We just need to stop and ask the Lord to search our hearts and try us and see if there be any wicked ways in us; and cleanse us from every sin.

Heb 10:26-27, 31

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
KJV

WHO ARE OVERCOMERS Part 3

THE REMAINDER OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES

The Church at Pergamus (Rev. 2:12-17) is the Church that is married to the world. As God puts it, these are the ones that “dwell where Satan’s throne is.” The Church that allows the evil doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolatians to come in:

Jude 11

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
KJV

Many of our modern Churches fit perfectly right in this category.

God’s promise to the faithful overcomer in this Church is that they would eat of the hidden manna and receive a white stone, (a victory stone for Christians whose works endure the fire of 1 Cor. 3:11-15). This stone will have a new name written on it which no one knows, except the one who receives it (Rev. 2:17).

The Church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) represents the orthodox Church where the evil spirit of Jezebel was allowed to reign. It is important to read about Jezebel, the patron of Baal worship, in 1 Kings 16:30-34 and 21:25 because in the end times, this spirit is said to return. As John phrases it, this Church hit the “depths of Satan.” The spirit of Jezebel’s goal was to seduce God’s faithful servants into disobedience and fornication. In verse 22 of Revelation 2, it says that God is going to cast Jezebel and her followers into the great tribulation unless they repent. [This tribulation could well be them being excluded from Christ’s presence in Gizrah – “the separate place”].

God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Church at Thyatira is that they will have authority (exousia in the Greek) over the nations and rule them with a rod of iron. They shall also receive the “morning star.” (This probably means they will have a special relationship with Jesus Himself [Rev. 22:16]). The overcomers will be “white robed” (Rev. 19:8), they will shine like the Lord, reflecting His brightness and glory (Matt. 17:2).

The Church at Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) represents those in the denominational Church who say they are alive, but who are really dead. The Spirit tells them that if they don’t wake up, He is going to come “like a thief in the night” and they won’t even know it. There “name” says they are alive, but in reality they are dead.

There is nothing good said about Sardis.

God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in this Church is that he will be clothe in white raiment, which symbolizes righteous act of the saints (Rev. 19:8). Listen to verse four:

Rev 3:4

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
KJV

White robes have to do with the wedding garment that all Christians are now preparing to wear (Rev. 19:7), these white robes (symbolized by the righteous acts of the saints) are not by the flesh but by the Spirit of God.

God promised the overcomer in Rev. 3:5 that He will not blot his name out of the book of life. This is an issue that many theologians grapple with over the centuries. If one accepts kingdom exclusion (being placed in Gizrah – “the separate place”), then it will be very logical that these are the ones mentioned in Rev. 20:15. [Their names were blotted out for the thousand years]. These are those that came short of the “promise” of Hebrews 4:1.

The Church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) represents the raptured Church (the caught-up to heaven Church) and the one many of us want to be associated with (1 Thess. 4:17). Philadelphia is the Church that has the “key of David,” and “he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” This is similar to the “keys of the kingdom” Matt. 16:19 and 18:18 in the sense that they are both delivering the same message. Matthew, however, presents God dealing with the house of Israel in relation to the kingdom of the heavens, with the house ultimately being left “desolate” because of the nation’s rejection (Matt. 23:2, 13, 38); and Matthew also anticipates God dealing with a house separate and distinct from Israel in relation to the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 16:18, 19; 24:40-25:30). The “key of David” and the “key to the kingdom” is the “message of the kingdom” that both David and Peter understood and had to teach.

Could it be the message to be taught today? And what if it is and we are not teaching it, would that mean we have not been true to the Word of God? These are thoughts to consider.

The Spirit tells the Church that He knows they have little strength of their own, but He also knows that they have not denied His Name (to deny His Name would disqualify them from the prize). Anyone that is not preaching or practicing the way of the kingdom is denying His Name and will not win the prize. In other words, this Church have faithfully and obediently rested on God’s resurrection power even through the hard times (2 Cor. 13:4).They suffered because of His Name, and because of their faithfulness to keep the “word of His patience,” He will keep them from the very hour of temptation that is to come upon the earth. (Here the hour of temptation that will come upon the earth could well be in reference to that period of exclusion that disobedient, unfaithful Christians will not be kept from). He will also make those who say they are Jews, but are not, to bow at their feet. One of the major surprises at the Judgment Seat of Christ will be many who are “great in the eyes of men” will be humbled and demoted by the Lord, and those that are “despised of men” the Lord will welcome and exalt (Matt. 19:28-30).

God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Church at Philadelphia is that He will make them a pillar in His temple. A pillar in the temple is symbolic of a steadfast figure of strength and durability. Thus, these faithful saints will remain secure and firm in their positions of strength at the Father’s side and enjoy tremendous intimacy with Him. And because of the intimacy, they will not go out of the sanctuary any more. The Lord will also write upon them the Name of God, the name of the city of God (new Jerusalem) and also His own name.

The Church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) represents the final state of the Church prior to Christ’s return for His bride. From all appearances, that’s exactly where we are today. This is the explanation to the “seeker friendly” Church that we see springing up everyday (come as you are and you don’t have to change, we are not in the business of cleaning fish, we just catch them and God clean them). That is so sad, the Word of God should change people, and it is easy to live in sin and regularly attend most of our Churches today without any form of conviction. Sermons are not preached any more, social talks are given. The music and worship programmes create excitement – it is more entertainment than anything else. The message is so watered down that it does not stimulate any renewed personal commitment of obedience and faithfulness to the Lord. As the Scripture notes, it is “neither hot nor cold.” It is lukewarm! These saints say they are rich and in need of nothing, but in truth, from God’s perspective, they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Today’s deadness in Church comes from following the truth only with our minds, not with our hearts or our lives. The Spirit counsels Laodicea to buy from Him gold refined in the fire (works done by the Spirit of God) so they can become rich, and they can be clothe with white raiment so that the shame of their nakedness does not appear. Nakedness means there is no clothes, the clothes of Rev. 19:6, 7.

Unfortunately, there is nothing good said about this Church.

Notice something else interesting here: The Scripture we always hear quoted to the unbelievers:

Rev 3:20

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
KJV

To whom is God really speaking? He is definitely speaking to Christians. Yet Christ is on the outside knocking, wanting to come in but is not let in. He is on the outside of most of our Churches today trying to get in and it does not matter what names they call themselves, we are in the Laodicean era.

This Church corresponds to the Epistle of Jude where “a form of godliness” remained in the Church (2 Tim. 3:5). Materialism had so permeated them that the Church was spiritually destitute (Jude 17-19). Christ is on the outside, not within. As we get closer and closer to the end of this dispensation apostasy is prevails. The four parables of Matthew 13, these seven Churches in Revelation, the books of 2 Peter and Jude all speak of this.

God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Laodicean Church is that Christ will let them it with Him on His Throne, just as He overcame and was able to sit down with God the Father on His Throne. In other words, the overcomers in this Church will have a joint participation in the kingdom rule (Rev. 3:21).
The greatest incentive that God has placed in His Word for us to live godly lives is found in these promises to the overcomers. Such glorious promises should stir the heart of every believer and cause us to diligently strive to personally apprehend the

SEEK TO BE AN OVERCOMER

WHO ARE OVERCOMERS?

All Christians are called to be overcomers, but not all Christians choose to be overcomers.

This present Church age is the period that God has set aside to secure a bride for His Son and the Christians that will make up this “bride” are those who become ‘partakers' of His Life and thus, overcomers. The teaching that you become an overcomer when you became a Christian is not taught in the Scriptures. It is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, at the end of this dispensation that Christians will be judged for their fitness and to know whether or not they are qualified to inherit the Millennial Kingdom; there and only there will each Christian’s response to this privilege be revealed. It is not enough just to be a “Christian” as one has to win the prize of reigning with Christ, it’s not automatic.

Let us examine a few verses to show how Scripture addresses this subject. The first that comes to mind is John’s usages to the Churches in Revelation.

Rev 2:7

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
KJV

This was John’s address to the Church at Ephesus which represents the apostolic Church, which endured great hardships. God knew their good works, their labour and patience. These saints were strong in doctrine, but they had forgotten and forsaken the most important thing – their first love, that spiritual intimacy with the Father.

God’s promise to the faithful and obedient overcomer in the Church at Ephesus was that he would eat of the tree of life (the tree of life is synonymous to a special wisdom and knowledge in the future kingdom). The distinction here is between “faithful, obedient” and “unfaithful, disobedient” Christians. This reference does not speak of the salvation of one’s spirit, but an intimacy with the Father to be enjoyed by those found worthy at the judgment seat of Christ.

The saints whose works will be tested by fire, and will come through as “precious stones” as seen in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 3:11-15); are those who are partakers of Christ during their life time – living His Life – thus, they will be rewarded in the future with a special intimate fellowship with Christ. The disobedient in this Church are the ones who have lost their first love (Rev. 2:4). They will also loose their share of the tree of life in the future kingdom as well. The Spirit even says that He will remove His lampstand (or the light of His presence) from their Church if they do not repent (Rev. 2:5).

Some Christians will be shown at the Judgment Seat to have overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Others will show to have been overcome by these things. The word “overcome” is a translation of the Greek word nikao, which means to conquer or to gain victory over something. The though inherent in the word is to be victorious in a contest or conflict.

A SEPARATE PLACE FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT OVERCOME

GIZRAH – THE SEPARATE PLACE

I am doing a study on the Temples and one of the most intriguing parts in Ezekiel’s Temple is the space directly behind (or west of) the Holy of Holies called the Gizrah (Strong’s # 1508) or the “separate place.” (Ezek. 41:12-15; 42:1, 10, 13).

The word gizrah means a separate enclosure or “a separate place.” It’s a place for polishing or making something smooth by friction. It comes from the root word gezer (Strong’s # 1506) which means “a portion cut off” and the primitive root gazar (Strong’s # 1504), which means to exclude. Gizrah is used eight times in the Bible: seven in reference to the Temple in Ezekiel chapter 41 and 42, and once in reference to the polishing of a godly sect in Lamentations 4:7.

The Gizrah is a “separate place” for cutting and polishing in order to produce a refined and magnificent finish. [According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Marriage, pg. 342]. - “If the word gizrah contained an ayin then the second raw would have a negative connotation; but it does not, therefore, this space has some mysterious but beneficial purpose.”

Again, the wall of separation between the sanctuary itself and the Gizrah was very visible (Ezek. 42:20). It emphasized the separation of the holy and the common.

These walls of separation were intended for human instruction. It was God’s divine intention. The Gizrah was a place where everything that was rejected or excluded from the worship service was kept. It was an unsanctified area; separate from the sanctified region.

In Ezek. 42:20, the Gizrah is called “the profane place.” (Strong’s #2455, Chol) which means ‘expose’ and ‘common’, opposed to ‘sanctified’ and ‘holy’. Chol is from the root word chalal (Strong’s #2490), which means to break one’s word, to defile, to pollute or to defile one’s inheritance. Wow! That should be enlightening.

Could this be the “separate place” into which the unsanctified and disobedient believers that have not overcome but are overcome are “cast,” while the rest of the body of Christ enjoys fellowship with the Lord in some other room? Could this gizrah possibly be the place that is called “the outer darkness” or the “darkness outside” that is spoken of in the three Matthew parables? This darkness, remember, is just beyond the brilliant light of Christ’s presence in the sanctuary.

The Gizrah is a real place in Ezekiel’s Temple. But what its function actually is, scholars have debated for years. I therefore suggest, like the saints at Berea; you search the Scriptures and see what the Lord shows you.

Acts 17:11

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
KJV

Remember that Ezekiel’s prophecy is giving us a blue print of the Millennial Temple which in itself is a “separation,” a place apart. The Gizrah was a separate place for things that had become ritually unclean and unholy. According to Messiah’s Coming Temple, pg. 98: by John W. Schmitt: These things had to be separated, so that “such items may later be cleansed and restored.”

God’s purpose in judgment is often to provide redemption.

Ps 49:15

15 But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
AMP

Probably God will use the thousand years of the Millennium to restore and renew those that did not make it into the kingdom and bring them back to holiness.

Rev 21:3-4

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

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

The National Spelling Bee contest of the United States, recently gave the word “genizah” as one of the words in the contest. They explained that it was a Hebrew word and it came from the root word gezrah. The definition that they gave for genizah was: “a strong room where the priests of the temple kept damaged, but sacred objects. How interesting!”

I believe this is the explanation to the “Five Foolish Virgins” (where they ended up) [Matt. 25:1-13], the ‘guest’ [Matt. 22:1-14], the “unfaithful servant” [Matt. 24:45-51] and [Luke 12:41-46].

Let us “watch” and “be ready” as Christians, for the return of Christ.

SUMMARY OF THE PARABLES Pt. 2

THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND THE PEARL
OF GREAT PRICE (Matt. 13:44-46)

The parables of the hidden treasure and the valuable pearl seem to illustrate the good response of two kinds of individuals. In the former, a man unexpectedly heard the word of the kingdom and realized it was a great treasure. Nathaniel is an example of this kind of hearer (John 1:44-50). In the latter, a man was seeking for something, and when he heard the word of the kingdom, he recognized it as valuable. Cornelius illustrates this kind of hearer (Acts 10:1-11:18); he was unsaved until Peter brought the message (11:14). In both parables the hearers joyfully sold all because they realized the value of the treasure (which represents the kingdom).

THE PARABLE OF THE NET (Matt. 13:47-50)

The primary teaching of the parable of the net is that at the end of the age there will be a judgment, the same one spoken of in the parable of the tares, at which time the wicked who will be living at the time of Christ’s second coming will be judged. In the Olivet discourse Jesus gives more details (Matt. 25:31-46).

The kingdom will come after the execution of judgment on the world, and the wicked will be cast into a furnace of fire. Matthew 25:46 says this is an “everlasting punishment,” (a more accurate translation of the Greet word aioonoin would be ‘age lasting’ in stead of ‘everlasting’ would be “age lasting”). Revelation 19:20 calls it “a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

THE PARABLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDER (Matt. 13:51-52)

Jesus taught that a scribe who is a disciple of the kingdom and a student of the Scripture will take the prophecies concerning the kingdom from the Old Testament and add to them the new things revealed in these parables, and the new things will supplement the Old Testament prophecy.

In these parables Jesus revealed for the first time that there would be a delay between the time the kingdom was first offered and the time it will be set up. This delay is caused by the rejection of the King.

McClain summarizes in his commentary, pg 441; the teachings of the parables in relation to the present age:

What is certain in the teaching of these different parables is that the present age, viewed from the standpoint of the kingdom, is a time of preparation. During this period the Son of man is sowing seed (v.37), generating and developing a spiritual nucleus for the future kingdom, a group called “sons of the kingdom” (v.38 ASV). At the same time He is permitting a parallel development of evil in the world under the leadership of Satan (vs. 38-39). It is the purpose of God to bring both to a “harvest,” when the good and bad will be separated, and then to establish the Kingdom in power and righteousness (vs. 41-43, 49)….The absence in Matthew 13 of any mention of the Greek – ekklesia, or of its pre tribulation Rapture, is not strange; for such mention at this point would be completely unhistorical in the progress of divine revelation. That however, is not to an argument to suggest that this is not a judgment for saved people; for nowhere in Scripture are the saved and unsaved judged together. Both groups are saved, just some “good” saved people and some “bad” saved people.

Remember Paul speaking to the Christians at Corinth and including himself?

2 Cor 5:10

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
KJV

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKEN UNTO....

A SUMMARY OF THE PARABLES

PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt. 13:3-23)

Jesus Himself interpreted the parable of the sower saying that the word that was sown is the “word of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:19). Then He gave the different responses that it received. Satan prevented some from responding, while others allowed the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the pleasures of this life, or the lust of other things choke the word so it became unfruitful. But the word was fruitful in a small minority.

PARABLE OF THE SEED (Mark 4:26-29)

Only Mark records the short parable of the seed which demonstrated how the word of the kingdom of God would be received. Like a seed, it was planted by John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples; but it did not bring forth an immediate response of the literal kingdom. When a seed is planted in a garden, it may appear to be dead for it is hid from sight, but after a period of time, when conditions are right, it will germinate and break through the soul, gradually developing until it ripens. The simple teaching of the parable is that after the word of the kingdom is proclaimed there will be a period of time before there are any visible responses but it will grow to maturity as prophesied.

PARABLE OF THE TARES (Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43)

Charles Ryrie points out that, except for the first, each of the seven kingdom of heavens parables begins with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is like,” He says, “Literally, “The kingdom of the heavens became like unto…” in his book: The Basis of the Pre- millennial Faith, pg. 94. The status of the kingdom had changed. Jesus the Messiah-King, had offered the kingdom to Israel. John the Baptist, Jesus and Jesus’ disciples had been preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and now, because of rejection, its present status is illustrated in parables.

Jesus identifying Himself as the One who sows the good seed, says the field is the world, the devil sows the bad seed, the harvest is the end of the age, and the angels will be executors of this judgment. The good seed is the sons of the kingdom, the ones who will inherit it. The wicked will be removed and judged; their judgment is explained in more detail in the other parables and in the Olivet discourse.

PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN (Mark 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-35; Luke 13:18-21)

The parables teach that the kingdom began in a very small way with the announcement of one man, John the Baptist (Luke 16:16), but it will eventually grow into a mighty kingdom of Christ. It continues the teaching of the little parable of the seed, which is directly related to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 as it talks about a stone cut out of the mountain without hands: “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain , and filled the whole earth” (vs. 35, 44).
Even as it takes a tiny seed to grow, it takes time for leaven to spread through the doug, and it will take time from the announcement of the kingdom until “leaven” which usually symbolize evil in Scripture to permeate the entire dough. A study of the first three chapters of Revelation will show how the Church will deteriorate into what’s typified in the Laodicean Church:

Rev 3:17

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

That’s exactly where the Church is today. I plead with Christians to take the counsel of the next verse:

Rev 3:18

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
KJV

It is such a sad state of affair that God is seeking entry into the Church that He purchased and is being prevented:

Rev 3:20

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
KJV

It is a worthwhile plea, do heed to this call and receive the promise:

Rev 3:21-22

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
KJV

HOW SCRIPTURE IS DIVIDED

A COMMENTARY OF MATTHEW CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR

Scripture can be properly divided into seven parts, each forming a complete section of Scripture: (1) Gen. 1:1-2a, (2) Gen. 1:2b-2:3, (3) Gen. 2:4-11:26, (4) the remainder of the Old Testament, (5) the New Testament through Revelation chapter nineteen, (6) Revelation 20:1-15, and (7) Rev. 21:1-22:21.

The first and second divisions, as has been demonstrated, covers the skeletal framework upon which the remainder rests.

The third division covers the first 2000 years of human history extending from Adam to Abraham.

The forth division begins with Abraham and covers the next 2000 years of human history, wherein God called one man out of Ur of the Chaldees to be the channel through whom He, from that point forward, would deal with mankind at large.

The fifth division begins with the first advent of Messiah and covers the next 2000 years of human history, wherein the Lamb of God dies (followed by burial, resurrection, and ascension), Israel is set aside, the Church is called into existence, and Messiah returns.

The sixth division covers the next 1000 years of human history, the long awaited Messianic Era, along with immediately following events.

The seventh division has to do with the eternal ages which follow the Messianic Era.

Now to illustrate how later revelation is inseparably connected with earlier revelation and how any revelation subsequent to Genesis 1:1-2:3 must be inseparably connected with these opening verses of Genesis, note the thousand years in Rev. 20:1-7. This is not the first time that the thousand years in mentioned in Scripture. Quite the contrary. Instead, it is the last time. The first mention of the thousand years in Scripture is within the skeletal framework at the beginning, in Gen. 2:1-3.

These years comprise the seventh millennium, foreshadowed by the seventh day in Genesis.
Not only that; but the thousand years in Rev. 20:1-7 are mentioned numerous places throughout Scripture, covering the six thousand years of time preceding the Messianic Era. These thousand years are the point in time toward which everything moves, with their repeated mention being a very natural and necessary part of Scripture.

The Sabbath given to Israel was a “sign” concerning this coming day (Exo. 31:13-17). Everytime Israel kept the Sabbath, at the end of six days of work, they were acknowledging what God had set forth in the foundational framework at the very beginning (vs. 15-17). They were acknowledging that God was going to work six days in the latter restoration (as He did in the former) and rest on the seventh day (as He did in the former).

(The pattern was set perfect in the beginning. And the latter restoration and rest must follow the former restoration and rest in exact detail, in every respect. The thousand years in Rev. 20:1-7 [which follows six thousand years of work] carries exactly the same relationship to Gen. 2:1-3 as the Sabbath given to Israel [which followed six days of work] carried to these verses. “There remaineth therefore a rest [lit. ‘Sabbath rest’] to the people of God” [Heb. 4:9; cf. v.4].)

Then reference is made to part or all of the six and seven days different places in Scripture, referring to 6000 and 7000 years, drawing from Gen. 1:2b-2:3 (cf. Num. 19:11-19; 11 Sam. 1:1, 2; Hos. 5:15-6:2; Jonah 1:17; Matt. 16:28-17:5; John 1:29, 35, 43, 2:1; 11:6, 7).

Then, beyond that, events surrounding the coming Messianic Era – events occurring during the seventh day, the seventh 1000 year period – are mentioned time after time throughout Scripture (e.g. Isa. 2:1-5; 4:1-6; 14:1-8; Jer. 30:1-9; 31:31-33; Ezek. 36:24-28; 37:1ff; Matt. 24:30, 31; Acts 15:14-18; Rom. 11:25, 26).

It will be in that day that the blessings of Gen. 12:2, 3 will be realized in their fullness by both Israel and the nations; it will be in that day that Christ will exercise the Melchizedek priesthood, blessing the descendants of Abraham, both heavenly and earthly (Gen. 14:18, 19); it will be in that day that the seed of Abraham, both heavenly and earthly will “possess the gate of [i.e. rule over]” the enemy (Gen. 22:17, 18); it will be in that day that God will restore Israel to her rightful place (Gen. 25:1ff). And on and on one could go with what God has revealed in His Word about that coming seventh day.

It is as Nathaniel West said one hundred years ago in his book:

THE THOUSAND YEARS IN BOTH TESTAMENTS:

“What we find in the New Testament as its outcome in respect to the ages and the kingdom, has already lain in the bosom of the Old Testament from the beginning…. Nothing appears in the latter revelation that was not hid in the earlier, nothing in John that was not in Moses…. If we study the eschatology of the Old Testament, we will find the Echata there identical with the Echeta of the New Testament, and the eschatology of both Testaments the same… if ‘the thousand years are not in Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets, they have no right to be in John.”

Accordingly, any study of the thousand years cannot possibly begin with what God has revealed in Rev. 20:1-7. Rather, it must, of necessity, begin with what God revealed in Gen. 2:1-3. Rev. 20:1-7 forms the capstone to the matter. This section of Scripture covers in very brief form that which the prophets have previously covered in great detail. And only the simple statement need be made, for all the details has already been given.

The whole matter is really that simple if one remains within the manner in which God has structured His revelation to man. There is something about people that studies the Bible, if they come across any new interpretations that are not like the one they hold, relating to any particular passage of Scripture; there is the tendency to pass the “new” off as incorrect. As we seek to understand God’s Word and study, let us make an effort to see if the Scripture fits chronologically. This might just spark a desire to dig deeper into the Word.

PASTOR FAUST'S MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE

The audio version of this sermon may be heard online: http://www.kingdombaptist.org
===============================================
MOTHERS: BLESSED, OPPRESSED OR DEPRESSED? ===============================================
A Mother's Day Sermon, May 11, 2008, Kingdom Baptist Church, Pastor Joey Faust.

TEXT: Proverbs 31:30. . .Her children arise up, and call her BLESSED. . .

There are some modern, so-called "progressive" ideas about what a mother is. These new, perverted ideas are in contrast to what God has ordained a mother to be, and what much of mankind has understood a mother to be throughout history:

THE BANNED MOTHER: Huxley's "Brave New World" predicted a time to come when "mother" would be seen as a bad word. Today, there is pressure on schools, around the world, by sodomite activists, to get rid of words like "mother." The Australians just rejected the change, for the time being. But others are not resisting the foolishness: "Homosexual activists around the world are using language as a major front for their agenda...Following passage of same-sex 'marriage' legislation in Spain, the government ordered that 'mother' and 'father' were to be replaced in the State Civil Registries Family Book with Parent (progenitor) A and Parent (progenitor) B...

This February nurses in Scotland were told ...they must avoid using the terms 'mother' and 'father'...the province of Ontario banned 'mother' and 'father'. . . from all Ontario statutes."("United Press International") California's schools are all now, officially and openly, homosexual indoctrination centers, since Gov. Arnold signed bill 777; it bans words like "Mama"! It mandates that schools teach that gender is relative! This shows that you can work out your body, but still have the spiritual backbone of a tulip! Satan, through this world system, is working to not only ban the "word" mother. He wants women that may otherwise be called to marriage, to ruin their lives, and futures, by living for pleasure, and despising "motherhood."

There are people that want the world's population to be drastically decreased - especially in the West. Therefore, silly women are being manipulated into using the beauty of their youth, not to build a family, but to exploit it and waste it on men who do not care. It is a terrible trick of the Devil. Communist, Betty Friedan, ("The Feminine Mystique," 1963; founder of NOW) convinced a whole generation of women that homemaking was a "concentration camp." Millions believed that true happiness and liberty were to be found in allowing their beauty to be exploited and wasted! It taught women that motherhood, in a traditional family, was "oppression"! But the real captivity was when these women left traditional motherhood to become enslaved objects of evil men's lusts. They were servants of evil men, when they could have been winning a good man's love, and raising a family:

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them LIBERTY, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2 Timothy 3:1

This know also, that in the LAST DAYS perilous times shall come.6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead CAPTIVE silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Did this "Satanic liberty" bring happier women? No, they soon found that their "new master" was the real oppressor. Their beauty, worshipped and used by the world, only lasts for a brief moment. And then this world system will spit them out as worthless: Proverbs 31:30...beauty is vain...

1 Peter 1:24

For all flesh is as grass...The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

For centuries, mankind has known that women are happiest when they are selfless; pouring themselves into their families: "To feel, to love, to suffer, to devote herself, will always be the text of the life of woman."("The Royal Path of Life," 1882) But what happens when women are led astray from being women? Will they find happiness?

Betty Friedan lost her marriage. Her ex-husband, describes her life. It was filled with amphetamines and alcohol; and mixed with her feminist mind-set, this led to insanity: "She'd explode unexpectedly. . .She was the most violent person I have ever known. I've seen women frightened by her. Men, too." (Carl Friedan, "Living With Insanity," chapter) She would bloody him up, and gouge him. The accounts are demonic! It does not appear that feminism leads to happiness! You don't hear much about it, but the greatest amount of domestic violence, statistically, is found in women who have "left the natural use," and have joined together in a household! In their perverted escape from so-called "male oppression," they begin to oppress one another.

In contrast, the women who are the happiest, are the ones who don't compete or fear male strength. They blossom as women in their trust for God and His ways. They are not afraid with amazement (1 Peter 3), and this sets them free to be women, according to God's design. Even the world is forced to admit some of these self-evident truths.

Research studies from Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, reveal that women are not as happy as they were before the feminist movement!: "Men Are Now Happier Than Women. . .Two new research papers arrive at this conclusion. One tracked traditional happiness data by asking people how satisfied they are with their lives. It found that women, who in the early 1970s reported being slightly happier than men, are now slightly less happy. . .The other [study] analyzed time-use studies over the past four decades. . .women have replaced housework with paid work. . . and as a result are spending more time doing things they don't enjoy. . .both men and women seemed to dread their jobs. . .Both would much rather cook or do laundry. . ."(www.cbsnews.com 2007/09/26) "[Friedan's] book helped spark the sexual revolution of the 1970s and fueled the notion that that [wives who pursued careers out of the home would become] happier.

Last week, two sociologists at the University of Virginia published an exhaustive study of marital happiness among women that challenges this assumption. Stay-at-home wives, according to the authors, are more content than their working counterparts. . .the most interesting data may be that the women who strongly identify as progressive - the 15 percent who agree most with feminist ideals - have a harder time being happy than their peers. . . Feminist ideals, not domestic duties, seem to be what make wives morose. . ."(www.slate.com)

Obviously, Satan's rebellious and perverse ways will always ultimately lead to destruction - even in this life. God told Cain that his countenance would be lifted if he obeyed what is right (Genesis 4). Instead, Cain went his own way; the way of the world. THE DISTRACTED MOTHER: If Satan cannot ban motherhood, he must pervert it.

The "distracted mother" is set forth as his ideal. She must not be selfless and truly feminine. She must seek a career, or go after some "cause" in a manner that abandons her children's care and discipline to others. But what is the fruit of this feminism?:

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his MOTHER TO SHAME.

Proverbs 31:27, 28

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and CALL HER BLESSED; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Satan is trying to cheat mothers out of the blessing of verse 28! He wants mothers to end up with shame and regret, and alienation from their children. This can be seen in a recent news headline about another feminist leader who left a path of destruction behind her: "The day feminist icon Alice Walker resigned as my mother - In the mid-1980s, The New York Times ran a profile of the American writer and activist Alice Walker. Her novel, "The Color Purple," had won the Pulitzer prize and was being turned into a film by Steven Spielberg. The article was illustrated by a photograph of Walker sitting on her teenaged daughter's knee. It was meant to be a 'fun' picture; but, in retrospect, according to Rebecca Walker, the photographer unwittingly portrayed the true nature of her relationship with her mother. . .Walker's success as a campaigner was to her detriment as a mother.

Like Dickens's Mrs Jellyby, who neglects her home and her children as she directs her energy towards the poor of Africa, so America's icon often went to feminist meetings and rallies and left Rebecca to fend for herself. Her daughter experimented with drugs and became pregnant at 14. . .mother and daughter are estranged with little hope of reconciliation. . .[According to Rebecca:] 'To have a daughter who was questioning feminism - it was seen as a threat'. . .'You've got young women saying, 'That didn't really work for me' and the older ones saying, 'Tough, because that's how it should be'. . .'I think sometimes of. . .feminism as being close to a cult. . .'"("Times Online," May 4, 2008)

Did this child rise up and call her blessed? No. She had left the cult, and she must be despised and shunned. Many children are growing up and leaving "the feminist cult," to various degrees. Some only want the choice, and they resent being persecuted if they decide to raise their home in a traditional way; they have seen the destruction of radical feminism (divorce, bitterness, unhappiness, unstable children, etc.). Others rightfully see that the whole agenda as demonically inspired, through evil men, for the purpose of population control and remaking society so that the state replaces the family. To whatever degree, this return to homemaking, modesty, home-schooling, submission, etc., is shocking to many. But it is not rejection of the former generation; it is a rejection of the conspiring men and devils that deceived the former generation. There only choices in this final "falling away" are to go the other direction, or keep falling. What is next?

After cross-dressing and immodesty came the sexual revolution and homosexuality. Does anyone with eyes want to stick around to see what the next generation will rebel against? Will they be cannibals with unmentionable perversions? It is better that they rebel against the wrong choices of the former generation (as painful as that can be, if taken personally), than continue the fall into hell and tyranny! THE BLESSED MOTHER: The false view of motherhood is based upon a lie! Somehow, Satan was able to convince Eve that she was oppressed in paradise! How could it be? Satan convinced her that one commandment was oppression! He promised her liberty into godhood, if she would take control of her home and defy God's ways. He seduced her into changing God's ways. Adam obeyed her, and God killed him! Almost 6000 years later, Satan again convinced almost a whole generation of women that children are worthless! Who needs to be home with them?

Certainly, telephones and computers are more important than little souls. Right? What a lie! A century ago, women thought leaving the cradle for politics was a demotion! They felt they had the most influence in shaping the values of the next generation! Is a human soul worthless? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?:

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Motherhood is a high calling!:

Proverbs 27:18

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

If being a diligent servant has its own blessings, then how blessed must be the woman who is faithful to her husband and children? What honor will she receive, from her family, and God? What fruit will she receive?:

Proverbs 29:17

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

When we do things God's way, His blessings are released! Satan has somehow convinced women that homemaking is to be despised:

1 Timothy 5:14

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, GUIDE the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

But in God's eyes, it is a high calling. Will we believe God or Satan? We have seen the fruit of Satan's ways. It is abortion - baby murder. That is where it ends. The so-called sexual liberation movement ends in a Satanic sacrament. Babies must be sacrificed; burned in the fires (salt solution), or neglected. Paganism has come full circle. What shall be our revenge on such ungodly deception? Shall we wear the badges of Baal and show forth allegiance to the feminist and sexual revolution? Or shall we renounce all that is associated with this Satanic movement that has cost the lives of millions of infants?

Women left what Friedan said was the "concentration camp" of homemaking, to literally burn millions of infants in "abortion ovens." This is just one of the "fruits" of following Satan. In the face of such horror, let us encourage women to renounce the unfruitful works of darkness. Let us encourage them to be modest, submissive, stay-at-home mothers, who are happy with their feminine garments and calling.

One dear brother in our church, in prayer, said that he had grieved his mother by his sin, and now, he is grown and she is dead. He cannot make it up to her, but he can warn the next generation! The former generation cannot undo the destruction. The babies have been slain. Marriages and families have been ripped asunder. But one thing that can be done, is people can encourage the next generation to abandon the Satanic bait. They can expose it as a lie and exhort young folks to seek the old paths (see Titus 2 and the command for aged women).

Perhaps you received a sweet email that has been sent around. I don't think I have ever read one of these from the pulpit since e-mail was invented. But I will read some excerpts from this one: "A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom'. . .I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation...The Clerk was obviously a career woman. . .'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know.  The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.' The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair. . . I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). . .Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day. . .But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program. . .I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!"

This reminds me of a recent news report about the worth of a stay-at-home mother: "If a stay-at-home mom could be compensated in dollars rather than personal satisfaction and unconditional love, she'd rake in a nifty sum of nearly US$117,000 a year. That's according to a pre-Mother's Day study released Thursday by Salary.com, a...Mass. based firm that studies workplace compensation. The eighth annual survey calculated a mom's market value by studying pay levels for 10 job titles with duties that a typical mom performs, ranging from housekeeper and day care centre teacher to van driver, psychologist and chief executive officer. . .One stay-at-home mom said the six-figure salary sounds a little low. 'I think a lot of people think we sit and home and have a lot of fun and don't do a lot of work,' said Samantha Russell, a Fremont, N.H., mother who left her job as pastry chef to raise two boys, ages two and four. 'But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them...Russell agreed her job as a stay-at-home mom is more than full-time. But she said her 'job' brings intangible benefits she wouldn't enjoy in the workplace. 'The rewards aren't monetary, but it's a reward knowing that they're safe and happy,' Russell said of her sons. 'It's worth it all.'" (AP, May 8, 2008)

THE BEST GIFT FOR MOTHER:

One of the best gifts a child can give to his or her mother, is their obedience:

Proverbs 10:1

. . .a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 23:19

Hear thou, my son, and be wise. . .25. . .and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Let husbands also praise a godly wife who is dedicated to the family. As men, we do not need another man in the house. Let us therefore not despise the differences in a dedicated wife. If her heart is toward her family, let us exalt her and honor her. And, as she has placed herself under our protection, in obedience to the Lord, let us cherish her and defend her unto death.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY DEAR MOM

EVERY DAY IS MOTHER’S DAY

Today is set aside in many parts of the world as Mother’s Day, and we salute our mothers. However, let us make a special effort to examine ourselves and see if we are doing what God expects of us to foster the kind of families that He is pleased with. Don’t just be nice to “Mother” today and then go back to a way that might not be well-pleasing to God. This is not a challenge just to mothers, but to all of us; especially us of “he household of faith”.

Matthew 24:12 is an incredible and profound Scripture and it explains our predicament perfectly. It says that in the end times, "...because iniquity [anything that quenches God's Spirit] shall abound, the Love of many shall grow cold." The Greek word here for "iniquity" is anomia, which means "a disregard of God's law of Agape" (Romans 13:10).

The reason this definition of "iniquity" is so interesting is that the Greek word for love here in this Scripture is Agape - which means God's supernatural Love. So, this passage has to be talking about Christians, because Christians are the only ones who have God's Love in their hearts (because Jesus is in their hearts). This passage is saying that in the end times, something is going to happen to that Love in Christians' hearts ("a disregard for it"), that will cause it to be quenched, blocked and grow cold (look around, another proof that His return is near).

It is shocking that this could possibly refer to God's Love in Christians. But, in the years I've known this verse, this is exactly what I see happening in our Christian community today. And it's one of the reasons why so many Christian marriages, Christian relationships, and Christian Church bodies are having so much trouble. Something has happened to God's Love in our hearts that has made it grow cold in our lives.

Anyone of us can become one of those Matthew 24:12 statistics. Having God's Love in our hearts (and it does not matter how long we’ve been saved), we can certainly grow cold in our lives because we have chosen to hold on to (and not give over to God) bitterness, resentment, anger and unforgiveness towards those we claim offends us. Thus, without realizing it, we quenched God's Spirit (His Love) in us. We often "disregarded His Law of Love" and it is sin (iniquity).

Ironically, we can do these things and still think we are operating in God's Love. Today some of us are actively involved in “ministry” and think we automatically have Agape Love flowing through us! The truth is, we didn't even know the meaning of the word Agape - because we are loving, hoping to get in return the love that we so desperately needed. That's not God's Love at all, but our own natural, self-centered, human love! I think many Christians today are confusing natural, human love with God's Love. And this is where we are getting confused, off track, and ready to give up because it's just not working.

God's Love

What we must first understand at this time is that Agape is not a human emotion or feeling, but God Himself loving through us. God is the One doing the loving, not us. And all God desires from us is the willingness to set ourselves aside (to relinquish ourselves, to surrender ourselves), so that He can love through us.

When I say "self," I mean all of our own thoughts, emotions, and desires that are not of faith (things that are not of God; things that are contrary to God). All God wants from us is the "willingness" to yield our "selves" to Him, so that He then can freely love His Love through us. In other words, God's Love doesn't just automatically flow through us, just because we are Christians. We can prevent the flow of God's love by blocking it with our emotions. All of our hurts, anger, fears, resentments, pride and unbelief that we choose to hold on to and not give over to God, block His Love in our hearts and cause it to grow cold in our lives.

The Real Problem

This is exactly the problem in many families (marriages) – Christians' included. If we don't know "how" to (or even that we are "supposed to") give our hurts, bitterness and unforgiveness over to God, His Love became quenched (blocked, covered over) in our hearts. But, because we might not know of any real solutions - after we explode or cry - then we just pushed all those emotions down deep in our hearts, locked them up tightly, force a smile on our faces, and came out to begin all over again.

We think that by "burying our real feelings and emotions" and putting a smile on, we will get rid of them and no one would ever know the difference. The truth is, of course, when we bury our real feelings, we don't get rid of them, we just program them in deeper, and then they become the motivation for much of our behavior.

Now, the world functions this way because the world has no other choice - it has no other option. Without Jesus in our lives to literally take away our hurts, our frustration, our unforgiveness we're all "walking time bombs," ready to explode! (Just like the world). Read the newspapers today, watch T.V., notice the people on the street. Everyone seems ready to explode - you see it everywhere.

"Naturally" we all respond to hurt and pain in one of two ways: We either vent our anger and our frustration or we push them down and bury them. If we have Jesus in our lives, however, there is a third option: if we can just recognize and acknowledge our true thoughts and feelings and learn how to literally give these things to God (rather than venting them or burying them), then God promises to remove them "as far as the east is from the west" and fill us with His Love (Psalm 103:12). So, our only responsibility is to recognize and acknowledge the negative things in our lives that are not of faith and to give them over to Him. God, then, will do the rest.

What is the Situation?

Of course, we don't always know these things or they don’t come to mind when we are in desperate situations; and so without God intervening and doing something pretty radical in our relationships (marriages), it’s a worrysome situation.

We often feel like we have tried every way we knew to save our relationships (marriagies) - books, marriage counselors, seminars, the way of "submission", crying fits and everything else. Yet, nothing seem to ever work - the fact is, none of these have changed us on the inside. These are simply temporary outside fixes, because they never touched or exposed the real junk "inside" that quenched God's Love.

We must seek in our lives, a "more excellent way" for us to love and that is what I think is totally missing in many Christian relationships today. We must trust God enough to give Him all our frustrations, loneliness, resentments, unforgiveness etc. (all the things in us that are not of faith), He will then show us how to initiate His Love to others. I am not saying that you don't have ligitimate reasons to feel the way we feel, we are human; but we must act outside of the 'natural' and in the 'spiritual' by giving these emotions over to God.

Everyday is “Mother’s Day” and here is God’s model for mothers that He is well pleased with: Take this "test" and see what you think God is thinking about you (me) right at this moment. Am I well pleasing to Him?

Prov 31:11-12, 23, 25-31.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
KJV

FOOT WASHING IN THE CHURCH

JESUS’ PRESENT MINISTRY

The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us; is not something that’s properly understood among many Christians. The simplest way I think I can express this truth is, “That which we have as Old Testament” put on flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ and what we have as New Testament is “about Christ”- about what’s in the Old Testament.

Christ is presently exercising the office of High Priest on behalf of Christians. He is ministering in the heavenly sanctuary, on the basis of His Own blood, for Christians who sin. Christians presently reside in a body of death; they still possess the old sin nature. And Christians, falling into sin, must have a High Priest to effect cleansing for their sins.

The high priestly ministry of Christ is for the heirs of the kingdom, just as the priests of the Old Testament ministries were for those chosen of God to enter the Promised Land. Christ’s present High Priestly ministry has nothing to do with the issue of our presently possessed eternal salvation. Like in the camp of Israel, the ministry of the Levitical priests was for those who had already appropriated the blood of the paschal lambs. It was for the cleansing of a people destined to become a “kingdom of priests” (Exo. 19:6; cf. Heb. 9:1-7). Therefore, in Christendom, the work of Christ as High Priest, typified by the high priest in the camp of Israel, is for the same purpose. It is for the cleansing of a people destined to be “kings and priests” (Rev. 5:10; cf. Heb. 9:11, 12, 24).

God would have His people clean for both present and future purposes. According to the Epistle of 1 John, God desires to have a present reciprocal fellowship with a cleansed people. Cleansing makes fellowship possible, and the entire matter is with a view to the return of Christ and attendant events. Christians have been instructed: “….abide in him [i.e. live in a state of conscious, close fellowship ‘with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ’]; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 1:3-2:2, 28; cf. 3:6-9; 4:16, 17). In this respect, Christ’s High Priestly ministry is a vital present provision for the future heirs of the kingdom.

Christ gave Himself for the Church,


Eph 5:26-27

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
KJV

This aspect of Christ’s present ministry is possibly best illustrated by the incident of John chapter thirteen where Christ girded Himself, took a basin of water, and began to wash the disciple’s feet (13:4ff). Some Churches practice that today without a proper understanding of what Christ was actually teaching His disciples at the time. Peter, not at all understanding the significance of that which was happening, refused to allow Christ to wash his feet. Upon his refusal, Jesus responded, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (v.8). Notice He did not say “in” Me. Peter then, comprehending at least the gravity of the latter part of Christ’s statement, said, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head” (v.9).

What Peter was here saying is, if a washing is what it would take in order to have a part “with” Christ, Peter didn’t want the washing to be limited to just his feet. Rather, he wanted his entire body washed. However, Jesus replied, “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit” (v.10).

In the Greek text of John 13:8-10, there are two different words used for “wash.” The word used in verse eight (in both occurrences) and in the latter part of verse ten is nipto, referring to “washing a part of the body”; and the word used in the first part of verse then is louo, referring to “washing the entire body.” Further, the word louo in verse ten appears in a perfect tense, showing a past, completed action with the results of this action existing during present time in a finished state. (That rules out the Church practicing feet-washing for the reason Christ did it to His disciples hss no place in the Church today). This act of Christ reveals a washing which occurred in the past, with the person washed continuing in the present as a cleaned person on the basis of that which occurred in the past. Thus, any thought of the cleansed person undergoing another washing of this nature would be completely out of place, for he presently exist in a continuing state as cleansed.

Peter’s entire body had already been washed; but now in order to have a part with Christ, he must avail himself of the partial washing to which Christ referred.

The entire matter is highly symbolic of a “complete washing” which Christians received in the past and “partial washings” which Christians receive during the present. The complete washing results in eternal salvation, but the partial washings are necessary if one is to have a part “with Christ” in His kingdom. The complete washing – viewed from the perfect tense usage of louo in John 13:10 is a one-time, past occurrence, which can never be repeated. But the partial washings set forth by the word nipto, are totally different. Subsequent partial washings have to do with a present, continuing cleansing made possible because of the one-time, past cleansing.

On the basis of the past, finished work of Christ, redeemed man has been saved by grace through faith. In Eph. 2:8, the words “are ye saved [lit. ‘you have been saved’]” are the translation of a perfect tense in the Greek text, the same as the word louo, in John 13:10. Redeemed man possesses a salvation, based on a past completed act (Christ’s work on Calvary), which presently exist in a finished state. Everything has already been done on his behalf. He has nothing whatsoever to do with the matter simply because there was nothing he could do.

He has been washed completely (louo) by Another, and presently stands justified before God. This is an act performed once and can never be altered or nullified. It is just as secured as the finished work of Christ on Calvary, for it is based entirely upon this work. And Christ, in John 19:30, said of His work, “It is finished [lit. ‘it has been finished’ (another perfect tense usage in the Greek text)].”

Teachings in the realm of complete and partial washings, as set forth in John 13:8-10, are drawn from the experiences of the Levitical priests in the camp of Israel. Upon their entrance into the priesthood, a washing of the entire body occurred (Exo. 29:4; cf. Exo. 40:12-15); then after they had entered the priesthood, washings of part of the body had to occur every time they went to offer sacrifices (Exo. 30:21; cf. Exo. 40:30-32). A Christian then washes himself with the water of the Word (Eph. 5:26) to maintain that fellowship with God – the basin of water seen in some Churches is not according to Christ, but totally man-made as a result of misunderstanding Scripture.

THE CHURCH IS IN ERROR TO SEEK SIGNS, WONDERS, AND MIRACLES

SIGNS, WONDERS, AND MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

After moving through 1500 years of Jewish history and seeing signs, wonders, and miracles manifested at only two different points within that history, things suddenly changed. Israel’s Messiah (following the ministry of His forerunner, John the Baptist) appeared with a message concerning the kingdom of the heavens; and this message was accompanied by numerous signs, wonders, and miracles (Matt. 4:17-25; 8:1ff).

Then, in conjunction with and very early in His ministry, Christ called twelve disciples to help carry this message; and they were empowered to perform signs, wonders, and miracles in connection with their ministry as well (Matt. 10-5-8).

(Also, Jesus later “appointed” seventy others to go “before His face in every city and place, where He himself would come” – though very little is said about them in the gospel accounts – and empowered them to perform signs, wonders, and miracles [Luke 10:1-19]. Thus, at this time, there was a manifestation of supernatural signs in the camp of Israel unlike anything heretofore seen in the history of the nation.)

Christ had been sent only to ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24), and Christ sent His disciples whom He called to Israel alone (Matt. 10:6). Both Christ and His disciples went to Israel with the same message and the same accompanying manifestations of supernatural powers. It was a message surrounding the offer of the kingdom of the heavens to the nation, attended by a manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles.

Whether it was Jesus or His disciples proclaiming the proffered kingdom; signs, wonders, and miracles accompanied their ministry and formed the credentials of those carrying the message. They were supernatural events which authenticated their message as being true and from God (John 3:1, 2; Acts 2:22; c.f. Exo. 4:1-9).

The religious leaders in Israel were to see these signs, wonders, and miracles and know, from these, that the messengers were God-sent. Then, believing and understanding the message which they had heard, they were responsible for carrying it to the people of Israel (c.f. Exo. 4:29-31; Num. 13:1-26).

However, exactly the opposite occurred when the message was proclaimed by Christ and His disciples. The religious leaders not only refused to believe the message, but they, in their unbelief, carried a false message to the people of Israel (Matt. 12:14-32; 23:13).

This is why Christ near the end of His earthly ministry, condemned the actions of the Scribes and Pharisees – the fundamental religious leaders of that day – in no uncertain terms [Matt. 23:1ff]. They had heard the true message, and they had seen the accompanying miraculous powers, authenticating the message; but they had rejected the message and sought to do away with the accompanying supernatural powers mainly through attacking the Messenger.

The Scribes and Pharisees had sought to discredit the message in the eyes of the people, bringing about reproach on the Messenger and casting doubt on His message [e.g. Matt. 9:27-34; 12:22-24; c.f. John 12:10, 11]. And, whether by word or deed, this resulted in their bearing a false message to the people of Israel [Matt. 23:13]).

This all resulted in Israel’s rejection of not only the message but the Messenger as well, the removal of the kingdom of the heavens from Israel, the crucifixion of Israel’s Messiah, and the bringing into existence of a separate and distinct entity to be the recipient of that which was offered to and rejected by Israel. Israel failed to bring forth fruit in relation to the kingdom of the heavens, and “the one new man” in Christ was called into existence to be accorded the opportunity to bring forth fruit in this realm (Matt. 21:33-43).

Thought the kingdom was taken from Israel and the Church was called into existence to be the recipient of the offer, there was a reoffer of the kingdom to Israel. If for no other reason, this was evident because of the continuance of signs, wonders, and miracles. That would be to say, if God had terminated His dealings with Israel at or before the time that the Church was called into existence signs, wonders, and miracles would have ceased to exist. These supernatural works have nothing to do with the “one new man” in Christ (who is “neither Jews not Greek” [Gal. 3:28]). They have to do with Israel alone (1 Cor. 1:22), and they have to do with Israel in relation to the kingdom.

The supernatural works were manifested by those carrying the message to Israel (Acts 2:4; 3:1ff; 4:29-33; 5:12ff; 6:8ff); and when Gentiles began to be added to the body of Christ, they were manifested within Churches comprised of saved Gentiles, such as the Church in Corinth (chs. 12-14). A manifestation of supernatural works in the Church after this fashion was centered around the thought of provoking Israel “to jealousy” (Rom. 10:19; 11:11, 14). That is, God was using those whom Israel considered Gentile dogs to manifest supernatural powers which naturally belonged to Israel in order to provoke the nation to jealously.

Between a segment of the “one new man” in Christ carrying the message to Israel and another segment seeking to provoke the nation to jealousy – all being done through the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles – the Jewish people were dealt with in what might be considered a maximum manner. In one respect, God pulled out all stops (c.f. Luke 10: 13-24; 11:19-32); but the religious leaders in Israel would still have nothing to do with the message.

VIEWING THINGS FROM THE BEGINNING

The true nature of events which occurred on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in the first two chapters of the Book of Acts – when the reoffer of the kingdom of the heavens to Israel began – is not understood in Christendom today at all. Whole denominations have been built on a false understanding of these chapters, and cult groups have seized upon Acts 2:28 as revealing the way in which a person is to be saved; and practically the whole of Christendom, to counter the teachings of the cults, have taught things concerning this verse which are equally erroneous. If either understood that which is stated in the verses leading up to Acts 2:28, the whole matter wouldn’t even exist. Neither would have acted so completely out of line with the Scriptures.