Matthew Chapter 10

"Mission of the Twelve Begun; Enmity, Encouragement"

This Bible Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's transcription/ location is provided byhttp://www.theseason.org/plough.htm

Matthew 10:1 "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."

Jesus Christ can give you power, which is authority, and it is a gift from God. It is God that does the healing, and the casting out of the demons, and unclean spirits, and you speak the words in Jesus name.

Matthew 10:2 "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;"

Matthew 10:3 "Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"

Matthew 10:4 "Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."

Matthew 10:5 "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:"

God gave His disciples strict orders to stay clear, do not approach the Gentiles. This order was because it was not the time of the Gentiles yet. Jesus still had to pay the price on the cross, before the way would be open to all mankind.

When they went out, this was their first priority to give the gospel.

Matthew 10:6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Now does this say "go to the Jews", or "Go to Judah"? No. It says "Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel". The sons of Judah know where they are, and who they are; there is nothing lost about them. In fact, when these Jews came to Jesus in their self-righteous attitude, they came to trick Him up, because of this He would answer their questions in parables to keep the kingdom message a mystery from them. Jesus didn't even imply that the disciples should go to the House of Judah.

If you are lost, it means that that person doesn't know who they are. They are not in Jerusalem anymore, but gone to another area completely, and lost their identity to themselves. As a Christian, it should be your priority to learn who these lost "House of Israel" are, or you will not be able to rightly divide the Word of truth. To understand the parables that Jesus Christ taught you need to understand the parable of the sower concerning the children of the good and the bad; which is the prime root to the "key of David". This topic we will discuss in detail in Matthew 13.

This is a very simple message, but it is a total mystery to much of the church world today, and they attach the Jews, good and bad, as the lost sheep of the House of Israel. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and that message continues right to today. So how do you prepare yourself to go out and plant the seed of the word of God, when the simplest parts of God's mystery are over looked?

Matthew 10:7 "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

First, as you go, you tell those that you intend to give the gospel message to that the "kingdom of heaven is very close." Then the kingdom was at hand for the kingdom started at the crucifixion of Christ, for all those that accepted and repented.

Matthew 10:8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

The healing still applies today, and James 5:14 instructs us in how we are to approach the sick. "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:" It is the elders of the church who have the responsibility to know the Word; and they are to pray, and anoint the sick with the oil of our people [olive oil], and this is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It isn't the oil that heals or the laying hands on, but Jesus Christ and the Spirit of the Living God that heals.

The raising of the dead, is the raising of the spiritually dead. The casting out of devils should be part of every Christian's life, as they order evil Spirits out of their lives and homes, and this is done with the anointing of the oil, and in the name of Jesus. Jesus name is your authority.

Matthew 10:9 "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,"

When you go out, don't even bring your wallet with you, God will give you all your provision. In Christ's day, it was customary for people to take in travelers. However in this day and age, this custom isn't accepted, because to the crime in the streets today. Today you need to plan ahead.

Matthew 10:10 "Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat."

Another words, where ever a minister goes to preach, he is worthy of his hire. We have established churches today, and this teaching holds true today. When you bring some pastor or teacher into your church that is not part of your congregation, at least expenses should be covered. However, if that person is not teaching the truths from God's Word, he then is not worthy of his hire.

Matthew 10:11 "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence."

The term "is worthy", would be better translated "is Godly", or compassionate. When you are on a teaching ministry, don't move from one house to another, but stay at that same house. Why? Because on your first day in a town there was a ritual over how you were to be fed and housed, then things settled down, and you could get on with the work you were sent to do. You would have more time to preach.

Matthew 10:12 "And when ye come into an house, salute it."

"Salute it", means "salaam" in the Greek, you are to ask for God's peace on the house.

Matthew 10:13 "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you."

There is a condition to the blessing that is placed upon the house. If there is peace in the house and honor given to the work of the Lord, then the house will be blessed; however, if there is resentment over have one of the Lord's workers stay there, don't ask God to bless it.

Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

When you are rejected in a house or city, and they will not listen to the words from the Scriptures, God's Word, don't let it bother you. It must be God's Word and not the traditions of men that you are teaching. "Shake of the dust of your feet", is an idiom or figure of speech, which is saying, "I'll have nothing more to do with them." It was done in such a fashion that it was clear what you were implying.

Matthew 10:15 "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Did you ever think of how much God loves His own, that He would punish an entire city for the way that they had treated His minister. When the answer is coming will be on the day of Judgment. On that day each person of that city will carry their part of the burden on that judgment day.

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

A sheep is the most helpless animal there is, especially if there is a wolf around. There is absolutely no defense that a sheep can give. Christ said this to identify these disciples as His sheep, going forth to do a mission. Keep in mind, that wherever the sheep goes, the shepherd is the one with the responsibility for the sheep's safety. When the sheep goes forth, the protection around him also goes forth, and that protection is provided by the Heavenly Father, and His Spirit. This is the reason why the sheep are symbolic of God's people; for those elect of God can rely on God's protection totally. The Shepherd is Jesus Christ.

A wolf is very cunning, but it is a stupid animal. The serpent is wise in that it hypnotizes the minds of his prey, and then brings them under his power. As a servant of God giving out the Word, you are to have the ability to get the other persons attention. You don't mess around with the serpents deception of his rattles, or body movement, but you challenge his head, his mind. Go for the victory, and in this case, the victory is the planting of the Word of God in his mind.

Though the dove seems harmless, it is fierce in protecting it's young. The likeness of the dove is used as a comparison of the Holy Spirit. He is so peaceful when He ascends upon a person, and fills the person with joy and comfort, yet the Holy Spirit of God is the protector of God's elect.

Matthew 10:17 "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;"

Though it is written to include the missions of Jesus Christ's day, and the councils of that day were the Sanhedrin; it also applies to our generation, as we live in these final days of this earth age. When Jesus was asked by his disciples, What will it be like before His coming [second advent], Jesus answered; "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before hand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit," Mark 13:11

Why would the elect of our generation be treated similar to these disciples of Jesus day? Because God's elect of our day know the truth, that the one presenting himself as the Christ, will be the Antichrist, Satan, and the world can't except that. The disciples that Jesus sent forth, also did not preach the same teaching as the accepted religious form of that day. Most Christians today say that they will be gone when the Antichrist comes, and that is the reason that they will be deceived. For the Antichrist will appear to them exactly as they were taught that the true Christ would come, and because of this, God will close their minds to the truth, and turn them over to the Antichrist. Though Satan carries the name of a dragon and serpent, he was created and is the most beautiful of all the arch angles.

Satan looks like a man, but he is an angel. He is the son of perdition, and when he comes he will be given authority and supernatural powers by God. God's elect know this for they have studied His Word, and are alert to the prophecies as they come to pass. Paul put us on alert inII Corinthians 11:14 just how Satan will come to earth; "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Jesus Christ is the "Angel of light", and when Satan comes, he will be transformed, or changed to appear, and sound, and speak, and do miracles, and wonders to look, and make you think that he is the Messiah [that's the rapture doctrine]. Only he is not, and then you will be tricked. That is why you study the whole Word of God.

Matthew 10:18 "And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."

Jesus assured His disciples that they would be delivered up, and we in this final generation have the same assurances.

Matthew 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."

This order that Jesus gave His disciples on their first missionary journey, is identical to the warning that Jesus gave to His elect, living in the final generation, recorded in Mark 13:11, and given above.

This Speaking of the Holy Spirit of God through your mouth is the cloven tongue that was spoken on Pentecost day, that so many call the "unknown tongue" today. It was not unknown, for Acts 2:7, 8 specifies that everyone from all over the world heard the speaking in their own language. "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?' [7] "And how hear we every man in our own tongue [language], wherein we were born? [8] That means in their own neighborhood dialect. No interpreter was necessary.

Matthew 10:20 "For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

That Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God that will speak in you. Any man can babble on, and pretend to speak a new language (gibberish), but no man can imitate the Holy Spirit of God. Babbling is confusion, and God is not the author of confusion. This tongue is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit of God. As used in the final generation, Peter calls our attention to it in the Book of Acts.

Acts 2:16 "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:" Quoting from Joel 2:28-31.

Acts 2:17-21 gives us the entire quotation; "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" [verse 17].

Matthew 10:21 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

In all of history there is no time where the fathers of a people would deliver their children to be killed. This is not the physical death, but the spiritual death. This is the instructions that Jesus is giving to His disciples before they went on their first missionary journey. Friend this is also the exact message that Jesus will give them later, as to how it would be just before His return to earth to set up His Millennium age kingdom.

Mark 13:12; "Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; andchildren shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death."

Jesus explains why He came in the flesh in Hebrews 2:14; "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Jesus came to destroy Satan the devil.

In one form or another, you will be delivered up to give account of Christ, and explain just why you will not take the Antichrist, as your Messiah. Satan is death, and your own families are the ones that will turn you over to them in ignorance. The reason the father delivers the child up to death, or Satan, the Antichrist, is that he thinks Satan is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The instant you show or give any authority to Satan, you have taken the Satan's mark of the beast.

Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Just as Jesus disciples were hated and despised for bringing that first gospel of Christ to the lost House of Israel, they endured, and came back to report to Jesus of their job well done. In Jesus message to the disciples concerning the final days in Mark 13:13, we read the exactsame words; "And ye shall be hated of all me for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Matthew 10:23 "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."

Friend, the Word of God has gone out by satellite, by radio, by Internet, by Bible distribution, and through missionaries going to every part of this earth, with the gospel of Christ. God's Word is in most every language and dialect of the world. The entire "House of Israel", Christian nations and cities of the world have been preached to, and the time of the end is here.

The starting of that final generation occurred with the parable of the fig tree, the planting of the fig nation, the [Jews] in their homeland, and that occurred May 15, 1948, under the Belfour agreement, and the establishing of the tiny nation of Israel. The political beast is fully matured, in the United nations, while their ten agencies are the ten heads of power that give their authority over to its political head. The hidden ones are well set and do control the "four hidden dynasties of power, and their control began by way of their grip on Christians many years ago.

The signs that Christ gave us that would happen prior to his return, in most cases are history to us today. It is time to wake up, and be alert, for the time of the false messiah could come about any time. Remember that the entire Russian empire unraveled in one weekend, and the world power and authority of the United Nations could come apart just as fast.

Revelation 13:3; "And I saw one of his heads [the political beast's head] as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." A government receives its deadly wound when it looses it's authority to function as a government, and ceases to have power. When nations take back their power, and nationalism comes to life, the political beast dies.

Matthew 10:24 "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."

The student is not above his teacher, and that is just the way it is. What is applied here, is that you need to keep in the Word. God has given us what we should know, and there is always more to know from His Word. We are to study until we reach the level of our teacher, Jesus Christ, and that is why this entire age we must continue to study.

Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

It is sufficient that the pupil become like his teacher. Our end is to keep on studying to where you can have people rely on what you say. When Christ walked the earth, if they called Him Beelzebub [Satan, lord of the flies], know all the more that they will also say that you are of Satan. Jesus is saying don't worry about it, we will have the victory.

Matthew 10:26 "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known."

God has already revealed everything that you will face, in His Word, and there will be nothing that you will go through that should be a surprise to you, for you can expect what is prophesied coming your way, as well as the protection that will be given. What is important is that you are obedient to God's Word, and His Son, and keep committed to serve Him.

Matthew 10:27 "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."

Those things that come to your mind while you study my Word, speak out those things and tell others. Jesus is also telling His disciples that when they hear Him teaching something, speak that message also. The "preaching from the housetops", means to spread the Word. The housetops were where people gathered at the close of the day. It was the place for the neighborhood chat and gossip.

Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

This is important that you understand that there is only one person that can kill both your body and the soul, and that person is the Almighty God Himself. He created both your body and your soul, and just as He created both, He also can destroy both body and soul. This also documents just where it is that the wicked souls will be destroyed.

So the only thing that the true Christian has to fear, is to commit the unforgivable sin, and that can only be committed when you are delivered up to the synagogues of Satan, and you refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. As you do your witnessing the Holy Spirit will protect you all the way. Only God's elect will be delivered up, those bound in traditions need not fear of sinning this sin, for they will not be turned over to Satan, because they will be there already.

Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

The value of the sparrow is one half of the smallest unit of money that existed, the farthing. Jesus is telling us that when just one of these little birds dies, God is aware of it. He is saying that we can know how much more God cares for us, then one of these little birds.

Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Matthew 10:31 "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

You are to confess exactly what Christ told you to teach. Not some traditions, or church doctrines that sound good, and simply did not come from Scriptures. If God knows when every sparrow falls, and the number of the hairs on your head, then He knows your every need. When you take care of God's business on earth, then Jesus will take care of the attention of your affairs that is necessary before our Heavenly Father.

Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, and He is letting you know, just as you tell others of the good things of Him, He will report good things of you. Jesus is also warning you that if those things are not true and of good report, then also Jesus will deny you before my Father Which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

The peace that comes on the earth is a false peace, but the sword of the Lord is a two edged sword, it is the tongue of Jesus Christ. That sword that is given here is our entire Bible, and that Word shall not be compromise with any part of humans unjust judgments. Jesus is telling us that when something comes in your life that seems unjust, and we have been compromising with Satan, it is what we should expect. Jesus came to bring the sword of truth, as spelled out in His Holy Word. He spoke it in person, and He wrote it through the prophets. That is the thing that He brought to us, and we can see the fulfillment of that Word.

Matthew 10:35 "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

The variance comes into being when there is a difference between what the father's traditions teach, and his son following of what the Word of God has to say. When there is a difference in what the family members believe, then there will be discourse in the household. There are two different natures in these individuals, and two different frames of mind.

Man's word changes every day, and so does the vocabulary of the traditions also change. Those changes are what is accepted as sin, and the standards that modern man lives by. However, God Word is fixed, and unchanging. It was the same yesterday, as it is today, and will be at the end of this earth age.

Matthew 10:36 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."

Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

The comparison is not whether you love or do not love your family members, but whether they take priority over Christ and His work. Your worthiness to Christ is to what degree that you put His work over the wants of your family. Your family can turn on you, but God will never turn on you.

Matthew 10:38 "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

Your cross is what you take when you expect to be crucified on it. In other words, what you are going to do daily for Christ, you would be willing to die for that cause. Don't take this statement too lightly. You pick up your cross when you are studying God's Word, then to what point are willing to die for that Word? Take it seriously enough that if you are delivered up, that would be your state of mind.

Mathew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

This is a matter of just where you place your priorities. When we take up Christ's cross and go out to plants the seeds of truth, whatever we should lose in this flesh body or die, in dying we obtain our eternal salvation.

Matthew 10:40 "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."

To receive a person, is to give them your attention to what they are saying, or to what they may have a need of. However you receive a man of God, that is how both the Father and the Son of God will receive you.

Matthew 10:41 "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."

Many ministries are built around their begging bag type of ministry, and the Word of God is handled only secondary. When you see a man of God, and a ministry that is worthy of support then be faithful to it. Give as the Spirit of God lays on your heart. Those gifts go beyond just money, but in prayer or other ways that allow you to contribute. By your support of that work of God, you will receive your just reward and that is a surety.

When a man comes to you with tears, or threats, you can be sure that that person is not of God, for that is not how our Lord operates. That is not "shaking off the dust", and heading to the next city. Christ doesn't want your gift if it is tricked or scared out of you. The sword of the Lord is also your telling that con artist just what you think of him, and where he came from.

If you receive a person or ministry that is part of the work of God, then you also are participating in his work. The same rewards that the minister one doing the work is getting, that is your reward also. This applies also to giving tithes to where it should be given. How can you expect a blessing from God, when you throw your tithe after a person teaching against God's Word.

Matthew 10:42 "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."

God knows every hairs on your head, the tiny sparrows that fall and even the glass of water given in His name. He sees even the least part that you take in the promotion of the gospel, and the helping of one of God's own, and God will reward you greatly for it. You will never out give our Heavenly Father, when it is given in the right way, and not to a con artist. Know the Word of God, and know it when it is taught. Get in the habit of checking out the teacher.

The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

Chapter 10

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

The

GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

MATTHEW 

Chapter 10

"Mission of the Twelve Begun; Enmity, Encouragement"

Matthew 10:1 "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."

Jesus Christ can give you power, which is authority, and it is a gift from God. It is God that does the healing, and the casting out of the demons, and unclean spirits, and you speak the words in Jesus name.

Matthew 10:2 "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;"

Matthew 10:3 "Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"

Matthew 10:4 "Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."

Matthew 10:5 "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:"

God gave His disciples strict orders to stay clear, do not approach the Gentiles. This order was because it was not the time of the Gentiles yet. Jesus still had to pay the price on the cross, before the way would be open to all mankind.

When they went out, this was their first priority to give the gospel.

Matthew 10:6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Now does this say "go to the Jews", or "Go to Judah"? No. It says "Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel". The sons of Judah know where they are, and who they are; there is nothing lost about them. In fact, when these Jews came to Jesus in their self-righteous attitude, they came to trick Him up, because of this He would answer their questions in parables to keep the kingdom message a mystery from them. Jesus didn't even imply that the disciples should go to the House of Judah.

If you are lost, it means that that person doesn't know who they are. They are not in Jerusalem anymore, but gone to another area completely, and lost their identity to themselves. As a Christian, it should be your priority to learn who these lost "House of Israel" are, or you will not be able to rightly divide the Word of truth. To understand the parables that Jesus Christ taught you need to understand the parable of the sower concerning the children of the good and the bad; which is the prime root to the "key of David". This topic we will discuss in detail in Matthew 13.

This is a very simple message, but it is a total mystery to much of the church world today, and they think the Jews, both the good and bad, as being the lost sheep of the House of Israel. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and that message continues right to today. So how do you prepare yourself to go out and plant the seed of the word of God, when the simplest parts of God's mystery are over looked?

Matthew 10:7 "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

First, as you go, you tell those that you intend to give the gospel message to, that the "kingdom of heaven is very close." Then the kingdom was at hand for the kingdom started at the crucifixion of Christ, for all those that accepted and repented.

Matthew 10:8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

The healing still applies today, and James 5:14 instructs us in how we are to approach the sick. "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:" It is the elders of the church who have the responsibility to know the Word; and they are to pray, and anoint the sick with the oil of our people [olive oil], and this is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It isn't the oil that heals or the laying hands on, but Jesus Christ and the Spirit of the Living God that heals.

The raising of the dead, is the raising of the spiritually dead. The casting out of devils should be part of every Christian's life, as they order evil Spirits out of their lives and homes, and this is done with the anointing of the oil, and in the name of Jesus. Jesus name is your authority.

Matthew 10:9 "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,"

When you go out, don't even bring your wallet with you, God will give you all your provision. In Christ's day, it was customary for people to take in travelers. However in this day and age, this custom isn't accepted, because of the crime in the streets today. Today you need to plan ahead.

Matthew 10:10 "Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat."

In other words, where ever a minister goes to preach, he is worthy of his hire. We have established churches today, and this teaching holds true today. When you bring some pastor or teacher into your church that is not part of your congregation, at least his expenses should be covered. However, if that person is not teaching the truths from God's Word, he then is not worthy of his hire.

Matthew 10:11 "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence."

The term "is worthy", would be better translated "is Godly", or compassionate. When you are on a teaching ministry, don't move from one house to another, but stay at that same house. Why? Because on your first day in a town there was a ritual over how you were to be fed and housed, then things settled down, and you could get on with the work you were sent to do. You would have more time to preach.

Matthew 10:12 "And when ye come into an house, salute it."

"Salute it", means "salaam" in the Greek, you are to ask for God's peace on the house.

Matthew 10:13 "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you."

There is a condition to the blessing that is placed upon the house. If there is peace in the house and honor given to the work of the Lord, then the house will be blessed; however, if there is resentment over having one of the Lord's workers stay there, don't ask God to bless it.

Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

When you are rejected in a house or city, and they will not listen to the words from the Scriptures, God's Word, don't let it bother you. It must be God's Word and not the traditions of men that you are teaching. "Shake of the dust of your feet", is an idiom or figure of speech, which is saying, "I'll have nothing more to do with them." It was done in such a fashion that it was clear what you were implying.

Matthew 10:15 "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Did you ever think of how much God loves His own, that He would punish an entire city for the way that they had treated His minister. When the answer is coming will be on the day of Judgment. On that day each person of that city will carry their part of the burden on that judgment day.

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

A sheep is the most helpless animal there is, especially if there is a wolf around. There is absolutely no defense that a sheep can give. Christ said this to identify these disciples as His sheep, going forth to do a mission. Keep in mind, that wherever the sheep goes, the shepherd is the one with the responsibility for the sheep's safety. When the sheep goes forth, the protection around him also goes forth, and that protection is provided by the Heavenly Father, and His Spirit. This is the reason why the sheep are symbolic of God's people; for those elect of God can rely on God's protection totally. The Shepherd is Jesus Christ.

A wolf is very cunning, but it is a stupid animal. The serpent is wise in that it hypnotizes the minds of his prey, and then brings them under his power. As a servant of God giving out the Word, you are to have the ability to get the other persons attention. You don't mess around with the serpents deception of his rattles, or body movement, but you challenge his head, his mind. Go for the victory, and in this case, the victory is the planting of the Word of God in his mind.

Though the dove seems harmless, it is fierce in protecting it's young. The likeness of the dove is used as a comparison of the Holy Spirit. He is so peaceful when He ascends upon a person, and fills the person with joy and comfort, yet the Holy Spirit of God is the protector of God's elect.

Matthew 10:17 "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;"

Though it is written to include the missions of Jesus Christ's day, and the councils of that day were the Sanhedrin; it also applies to our generation, as we live in these final days of this earth age. When Jesus was asked by his disciples, What will it be like before His coming [second advent], Jesus answered; "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before hand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit," Mark 13:11

Why would the elect of our generation be treated similar to these disciples of Jesus day? Because God's elect of our day know the truth, that the one presenting himself as the Christ, will be the Antichrist, Satan, and the world can't except that. The disciples that Jesus sent forth, also did not preach the same teaching as the accepted religious form of that day. Most Christians today say that they will be gone when the Antichrist comes, and that is the reason that they will be deceived. For the Antichrist will appear to them exactly as they were taught that the true Christ will appear, and because of this, God will close their minds to the truth, and turn them over to the Antichrist. Though Satan carries the name of a dragon and serpent, he was created and is the most beautiful of all the arch angles.

Satan looks like a man, but he is an angel. He is the son of perdition, and when he comes he will be given authority and supernatural powers by God. God's elect know this for they have studied His Word, and are alert to the prophecies as they come to pass. Paul put us on alert inII Corinthians 11:14 just how Satan will come to earth; "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Jesus Christ is the "Angel of light", and when Satan comes, he will be transformed, or changed to appear, and sound, and speak, and do miracles, and wonders to look, and make you think that he is the Messiah [that's the rapture doctrine]. Only he is not, and then you will be tricked. That is why you study the whole Word of God.

Matthew 10:18 "And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."

Jesus assured His disciples that they would be delivered up, and we in this final generation have the same assurances.

Matthew 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."

This order that Jesus gave His disciples on their first missionary journey, is identical to the warning that Jesus gave to His elect, living in the final generation, recorded in Mark 13:11, and given above.

This Speaking of the Holy Spirit of God through your mouth is the cloven tongue that was spoken on Pentecost day, that so many call the "unknown tongue" today. It was not unknown, for Acts 2:7, 8 specifies that everyone from all over the world heard the speaking in their own language. "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?' [7] "And how hear we every man in our own tongue [language], wherein we were born? [8] That means in their own neighborhood dialect. No interpreter was necessary.

Matthew 10:20 "For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

That Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God that will speak in you. Any man can babble on, and pretend to speak a new language (gibberish), but no man can imitate the Holy Spirit of God. Babbling is confusion, and God is not the author of confusion. This tongue is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit of God. As used in the final generation, Peter calls our attention to it in the Book of Acts.

Acts 2:16 "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:" Quoting from Joel 2:28-31.

Acts 2:17-21 gives us the entire quotation; "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" [verse 17].

Matthew 10:21 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

In all of history there is no time where the fathers of a people would deliver their children to be killed. This is not the physical death, but the spiritual death. This is the instructions that Jesus is giving to His disciples before they went on their first missionary journey. Friend this is also the exact message that Jesus will give them later, as to how it would be just before His return to earth to set up His Millennium age kingdom.

Mark 13:12; "Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; andchildren shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death."

Jesus explains why He came in the flesh in Hebrews 2:14; "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Jesus came to destroy Satan the devil.

In one form or another, you will be delivered up to give account of Christ, and explain just why you will not take the Antichrist, as your Messiah. Satan is death, and your own families are the ones that will turn you over to them in ignorance. The reason the father delivers the child up to death, or Satan, the Antichrist, is that he thinks Satan is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The instant you show or give any authority to Satan, you have taken the Satan's mark of the beast.

Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Just as Jesus disciples were hated and despised for bringing that first gospel of Christ to the lost House of Israel, they endured, and came back to report to Jesus of their job well done. In Jesus message to the disciples concerning the final days in Mark 13:13, we read the exactsame words; "And ye shall be hated of all me for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Matthew 10:23 "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."

Friend, the Word of God has gone out by satellite, by radio, by Internet, by Bible distribution, and through missionaries going to every part of this earth, with the gospel of Christ. God's Word is in most every language and dialect of the world. The entire "House of Israel", i.e. the Christian nations and cities of the world have been preached to, and the time of the end is here.

The starting of that final generation occurred with the parable of the fig tree, the planting of the fig nation, the [Jews] in their homeland, and that occurred May 15, 1948, under the Belfour agreement, and the establishing of the tiny nation of Israel. The political beast is fully matured, in the United nations, while their ten agencies are the ten heads of power that give their authority over to its political head. The hidden ones are well set and do control the "four hidden dynasties of power, and their control began by way of their grip on Christians many years ago.

The signs that Christ gave us that would happen prior to his return, in most cases are history to us today. It is time to wake up, and be alert, for the time of the false messiah could come about any time. Remember that the entire Russian empire unraveled in one weekend, and the world power and authority of the United Nations could come apart just as fast.

Revelation 13:3; "And I saw one of his heads [the political beast's head] as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." A government receives its deadly wound when it looses it's authority to function as a government, and ceases to have power. When nations take back their power, and nationalism comes to life, the political beast dies.

Matthew 10:24 "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."

The student is not above his teacher, and that is just the way it is. What is implied here, is that you need to keep in the Word. God has given us what we should know, and there is always more to know from His Word. We are to study until we reach the level of our teacher, Jesus Christ, and that is why this entire age we must continue to study.

Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

It is sufficient that the pupil become like his teacher. Our end is to keep on studying to where you can have people rely on what you say. When Christ walked the earth, if they called Him Beelzebub [Satan, lord of the flies], know all the more that they will also say that you are of Satan. Jesus is saying don't worry about it, we will have the victory.

Matthew 10:26 "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known."

God has already revealed everything that you will face, in His Word, and there will be nothing that you will go through that should be a surprise to you, for you can expect what is prophesied coming your way, as well as the protection that will be given. What is important is that you are obedient to God's Word, and His Son, and keep committed to serve Him.

Matthew 10:27 "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."

Those things that come to your mind while you study my Word, speak out those things and tell others. Jesus is also telling His disciples that when they hear Him teaching something, speak that message also. The "preaching from the housetops", means to spread the Word. The housetops were where people gathered at the close of the day. It was the place for the neighborhood chat and gossip.

Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

This is important that you understand that there is only one person that can kill both your body and the soul, and that person is the Almighty God Himself. He created both your body and your soul, and just as He created both, He also can destroy both body and soul. This also documents just where it is that the wicked souls will be destroyed.

So the only thing that the true Christian has to fear, is to commit the unforgivable sin, and that can only be committed when you are delivered up to the synagogues of Satan, and you refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. As you do your witnessing the Holy Spirit will protect you all the way. Only God's elect will be delivered up, those bound in traditions need not fear of sinning this sin, for they will not be turned over to Satan, because they will be there already.

Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

The value of the sparrow is one half of the smallest unit of money that existed, the farthing. Jesus is telling us that when just one of these little birds dies, God is aware of it. He is saying that we can know how much more God cares for us, then one of these little birds.

Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Matthew 10:31 "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

You are to confess exactly what Christ told you to teach. Not some traditions, or church doctrines that sounds good, and simply did not come from Scriptures. If God knows when every sparrow falls, and the number of the hairs on your head, then He knows your every need. When you take care of God's business on earth, then Jesus will take care of the attention of your affairs that is necessary before our Heavenly Father.

Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, and He is letting you know, just as you tell others of the good things of Him, He will report good things of you. Jesus is also warning you that if those things are not true and of good report, then also Jesus will deny you before my Father Which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

The peace that comes on the earth is a false peace, but the sword of the Lord is a two edged sword, it is the tongue of Jesus Christ. That sword that is given here is our entire Bible, and that Word shall not be compromise with any part of humans unjust judgments. Jesus is telling us that when something comes in your life that seems unjust, and we have been compromising with Satan, it is what we should expect. Jesus came to bring the sword of truth, as spelled out in His Holy Word. He spoke it in person, and He wrote it through the prophets. That is the thing that He brought to us, and we can see the fulfillment of that Word.

Matthew 10:35 "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

The variance comes into being when there is a difference between what the father's traditions teach, and his son following of what the Word of God has to say. When there is a difference in what the family members believe, then there will be discourse in the household. There are two different natures in these individuals, and two different frames of mind.

Man's word changes every day, and so does the vocabulary of the traditions also change. Those changes are what is accepted as sin, and the standards that modern man lives by. However, God Word is fixed, and unchanging. It was the same yesterday, as it is today, and will be at the end of this earth age.

Matthew 10:36 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."

Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

The comparison is not whether you love or do not love your family members, but whether they take priority over Christ and His work. Your worthiness to Christ is to what degree that you put His work over the wants of your family. Your family can turn on you, but God will never turn on you.

Matthew 10:38 "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

Your cross is what you take when you expect to be crucified on it. In other words, what you are going to do daily for Christ, you would be willing to die for that cause. Don't take this statement too lightly. You pick up your cross when you are studying God's Word, then to what point are willing to die for that Word? Take it seriously enough that if you are delivered up, that would be your state of mind.

Mathew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

This is a matter of just where you place your priorities. When we take up Christ's cross and go out to plants the seeds of truth, whatever we should lose in this flesh body or die, in dying we obtain our eternal salvation.

Matthew 10:40 "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."

To receive a person, is to give them your attention to what they are saying, or to what they may have a need of. However you receive a man of God, that is how both the Father and the Son of God will receive you.

Matthew 10:41 "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."

Many ministries are built around their begging bag type of ministry, and the Word of God is handled only secondary. When you see a man of God, and a ministry that is worthy of support then be faithful to it. Give as the Spirit of God lays on your heart. Those gifts go beyond just money, but in prayer or other ways that allow you to contribute. By your support of that work of God, you will receive your just reward and that is a surety.

When a man comes to you with tears, or threats, you can be sure that that person is not of God, for that is not how our Lord operates. That is not "shaking off the dust", and heading to the next city. Christ doesn't want your gift if it is tricked or scared out of you. The sword of the Lord is also your telling that con artist just what you think of him, and where he came from.

If you receive a person or ministry that is part of the work of God, then you also are participating in his work. The same rewards that the minister one doing the work is getting, that is your reward also. This applies also to giving tithes to where it should be given. How can you expect a blessing from God, when you throw your tithe after a person teaching against God's Word.

Matthew 10:42 "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."

God knows every hairs on your head, the tiny sparrows that fall and even the glass of water given in His name. He sees even the least part that you take in the promotion of the gospel, and the helping of one of God's own, and God will reward you greatly for it. You will never out give our Heavenly Father, when it is given in the right way, and not to a con artist. Know the Word of God, and know it when it is taught. Get in the habit of checking out the teacher.

True disciples of Jesus Christ, students of the Word of God, know who the lost sheep of the house of Israel are.

The word "disciple" means "learner" or "student" and so it is that a true disciple of Jesus Christ is one who is trained and educated in the Word of God. And so far in this great Book of Matthew, written by one whose name means "Gift of Yah", that training and education is precisely what has been transpiring between Jesus Christ and the twelve disciples He chose to follow Him. And now that they have gone up into the mountain and been instructed in His Word and have now both seen and understood the spiritual significance of the wonderful works He performed, they are now prepared, not by some seminary but by Jesus Christ the Word of God, to be sent forth as apostles to do the will of God and labor in His harvest. In fact, the very word "apostle" means "one that is sent forth".

To that end, we we saw in Mat. 9:38 where Jesus said to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest. Now we are going to see the Messiah do just that, but not before He gives them some specific instructions. You will find that these important instructions pertaining to the manner of their "going forth" and serving Him as a laborer in the harvest, even the harvest of these last days, are followed by those who are truly sent forth by Him.

So if you see one who claims to come in Christ's name, i.e. in His authority as one of his ministers, and they do not do as Christ has commanded here in Matthew 10, then consider that something is surely amiss and be on guard!

Matthew 10:1
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

By the way, why do you suppose Jesus Christ gave us the names of these twelve apostles? Well, for one thing it shows that they did not carry and were not identified by big lofty religious titles like some of the high and mighty muckity mucks of some groups. You see, true servants of God do NOT elevate themselves above their brothers and sisters. For example, here is what John wrote concerning himself in the great Book of Revelation:

Rev 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Also, once you have dug a little deeper you will find that the Aramaic word "Canaanite" means "zealous" and that it is an epithet which by definition is "a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing". In other words, Simon was a zealous one which is why he is called Simon Zelotes (zealous) in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13.

Canaanite, G2581 ??????????  Kananites kan-an-ee'-tace
Of Chaldee origin (compare [H7067]); zealous; Cananites, an epithet. (By mistake for a derivative from G5477): - Canaanite [by mistake for a derivation from G5477].

Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

True disciples of Jesus Christ, students of the Word of God, know who the lost sheep of the house of Israel are. It is part of the Key of David given to the brothers and sisters of the church of Philadelphia (Rev. 3). The sheep have been "scattered" and have lost their way and so it is that the laborers who are sent forth are to show them who they are and "the way" to their Father's pasture!

What is a kingdom? It is a King and His dominion which is now also the Shepherd and His sheep! So go tell the lost sheep that the true Shepherd is at hand, that He is with them NOW. Not only that, tell them that He has been with them all along and show them how it came to be that they have been blinded and therefore are lost in that they cannot "see". Show them from the Word of God how it is that they have become spiritually sick, unclean as lepers, and spiritually dead as the dry bones of Ezk. 37. Let the Word of God cast out the evil spirits of the traditions of men and let their eyes be opened and cause them to be set FREE from the bondage of the wicked one to leap (for joy) as an hart!  Log unto pamphlet #1274

Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

freely = G1432 ??????? dorean do-reh-an'
Accusative case of G1431 as adverb; gratuitously (literally or figuratively): - without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain.

Matthew 10:9
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

[10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

What Christ is saying is that if you do things His way and go forth teaching His truth as it is written, then you do not need financing nor do you need to beg or plead for money! The reason is very simple and that is because God will bless you and take care of your needs, for one cannot imagine the love and gratitude people have for their heavenly Father when the truth sets them free from the bondage of the traditions of men.

And so they recognize the truth that is being taught and voluntarily support that worthy effort.

To that end, just as Christ has instructed, those who teach the truth do it as freely as it was given unto them and so they never beg nor plead for money. Again, the reality is they do not have to. Therefore, any ministry who constantly pleads for money is a ministry who is going forth with a "scrip", which means what? They are disobeying Christ's commands, aren't they? You "see", a workman is worthy if he is a laborer who rightly divides the word of truth and teaches it as it is written. Quite frankly, those who lazily teach the traditions of men instead of God's Word and then pass the plate or plead for money, are not worthy. They have their reward!

2 Tim. 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Matthew 10:11
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

[12] And when ye come into an house, salute it.

[13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Here is how Luke puts it:

Luke 10:11
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Matthew 10:15
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

This next verse is packed with both comfort and wisdom... so "behold"!

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

So the question is, "Who is the One who sends you forth?" (The capital "O" gave it away, didn't it?) Therefore if you are one of His sheep that means that Jesus Christ is your Shepherd and you shall not want (Ps. 23)! Nevertheless, we are not to be foolish and do stupid things. He expects His own who know the serpent's MO and are fully aware of his wicked devices, to be sharper than Satan, to exercise wisdom and responsibility and always use good common sense.

And though we seek to entreat each house peaceably as doves and not bring harm to others, be advised that those who seek to enter into our own house, are in for a fight in which they will wish they never engaged! Doves are truly harmless until someone messes with their nests or their youngin's!

INext Christ is going to instruct us what to do when trouble and persecution come our way... and by the way, if you follow in His steps, it will!

It is written that most of our loved ones, though they call themselves Christians, will be deceived by the spurious messiah, Satan when he comes to earth claiming to be Jesus, and will believe in their hearts that he is really Jesus Christ, the Messiah, when in fact he is none other that the "son of perdition", the son who has already been sentenced to die (Ezk. 28:18-19) and perish in the lake of fire.

Jesus Christ is now giving final instructions to His disciples (students) before sending them forth as apostles (ones sent forth) to teach the Word of God and "proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mat. 10:7)". He told them that they did not need financing for their journey (to teach His Word) so there was no need to take a purse, nor were they to take a "beggars bag" to plead for money, for as long they went forth as per His instructions, which means according to the Word of God, then He would see to it that their needs were well taken care of. You see, the reality is that our Father, the One who created and owns this vast universe, is quite capable of blessing and taking care of His own. Either you believe that or you don't! Those who spend a great deal of their teaching time asking and pleading for money, obviously don't!  In fact, they even rob, as in "take away", the very opportunity for the people to freely give. Think about it!

Christ also told His disciples that in their going forth they were to seek out those houses who were worthy, those who would receive His truth, and to freely and graciously give the truth and blessings of His Word, for the love of God, even as they received it freely and graciously from Him. That only makes sense for when you think about it, if one truly loves the Lord and His righteousness then how could one have it in his heart to do otherwise?

Then Jesus warned them that they would be as sheep sent forth in the midst of wolves. Therefore they should be wiser than the serpent always using good common sense so as to not invite trouble, while at the same time being peaceful and harmless as doves. Of course doves will defend their homes and their loved ones with a ferocity that would seem to many to be uncharacteristic of an otherwise peaceful bird. Those who come against or mess with the home or loved ones of a true Christian will likewise be surprised.

Nevertheless, even though the wolves will not be able to devour you, take heed and beware for men will deliver you up and persecute you because of the Christ in you, because of your discipleship and apostleship concerning what you believe and say and teach.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

To further document that fact, we will parallel some of the scriptures from Luke concerning these last days.

Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Matthew 10:18
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Luke 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

The good news is that Christ has promised His servants that He will never leave them nor forsake them (Heb. 13:5). That means that the Shepherd will be with you always, even unto the end of the world (Mat. 28:20). And since you are to give testimony for Christ, you are not to worry nor be anxious nor premeditate about you will say. Why not? Because the Holy Spirit will speak through you at the time just as He did through those disciples on that first Pentecost Day following the resurrection, which as Peter documented was done to show us an example of how it will be in these last days.

Matthew 10:19
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Luke 21:15 For I will give you amouth and wisdom,which all your adversaries shallnot be able to gainsay norresist.

gainsay, G471 ??????? antepo an-tep'-o
From G473 and G2036; to refute or deny: - gainsay, say against.

resist, G436 ?????????? anthistemi anth-is'-tay-mee
From G473 and G2476; to stand against, that is, oppose: - resist, withstand.

Matthew 10:20
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

The point is that your loved ones will believe they are doing the right thing by bringing you to the one they think is "Jesus" when in fact they shall unknowingly be delivering you up to death himself. How so unknowingly? Because they are Biblically ignorant of who is actually standing in the holy place and sitting in the temple claiming to be God (2 Thes. 2:4). Many have been listening to false shepherds who have been telling them that Christ is going to return at any moment and take them up in some "rapture" while the rest of us sinners are left here to face Satan, the false-christ. Do not listen to preachers and ministers and pastors, including this one, without first checking out what they say in the Word of God to see whether or not it aligns with that which is written. Start with the fact that Christ just said His disciples will be delivered up, not raptured out of here!

Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

---

Current event note: It is amazing, since 9/11, to see that our government is now recruiting one million of our kinsfolk, our friends and brothers and sisters who are postal workers, utility workers, etc., i.e. those who have access and are most privy to our homes, to report any suspicious terrorist activity to the authorities. Just wait until the prince of spiritual terror arrives at the sound of the 6th Trump and exercises all the power of the first beast, which is the NWO. Then shall the betrayal and persecution be taken to a new level!

---

Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

hated, G3404 ?????? miseo mis-eh'-o
From a primary word ????? misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less: - hate (-ful).

You "see", God's warriors who have the gospel armour on and in place (Eph. 6) are going to stay right here and take a stand, even take "the stand", and endure and kick dragon unto the very end! God's elect are not fearful one bit of Satan and his troops! Have you not read that Christ has given them power over snakes and serpents and over all the power of the enemy (Satan)? He cannot hurt us for our Shepherd is always with us! Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Here then is Strong's definition of "endureth":

endureth, G5278 ???????? hupomeno hoop-om-en'-o
From G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere: - abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

2 Cor. 11:1
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

[2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

In our next study we will see what kind of commitment it takes to be a true disciple of Christ. Don't miss it!

You must go to Jesus Christ, to the Word of God, privately (Mark 13:3) when you do not know something and seek revelation (understanding) by listening to His Voice, hearing His words in your ear! Yes, His Word, it's written in your Bible!

It is written concerning the last days that if you are a true and faithful disciple and servant of Jesus Christ, then you should expect persecution to come your way and for some to even be delivered up before kings and rulers for HIS NAME'S SAKE to give "testimony against them and the nations"! Jesus Christ told us that in Mat. 10:18 and we can read it again in Mat. 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 which reads as follows:

Luke 21:12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

[13] And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Matthew 10:19
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Always use the wisdom contained in the instructions of Jesus Christ who has already told us to keep our peace and depart "shaking the dust off of our feet" from those houses and cities where we are not welcome and who will not hear His Word (Mat. 10:14).The same applies when we are persecuted for His name's sake. Of course Christian soldiers do not quit serving Him when a little persecution comes their way. On the contrary, they are "doers" of His Word who shall stay in the field of battle and endure unto the end (Mat. 10:22)... "till the Son of man be come" (Mat. 10:23)! That last phrase lets us know that Christ is talking to His disciples about the events and the persecution of these last days, just prior to His second advent.  That means He is talking to you if you are one of His disciples!

[24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

[25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

[26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

[27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

Ezekiel 3:10
Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.

[11] And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Let us read one more time for emphasis what it is we are to hear in our ears.

Ezekiel 3:17
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

destroy, G622 ????????? apollumi ap-ol'-loo-mee
From G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively: - destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

G623 ????????? Apolluon ap-ol-loo'-ohn
Active participle of G622; a destroyer (that is, Satan): - Apollyon.

Hey wait a minute! That is not commonly taught by the majority of Christianity (who teach that the wicked are going to be barbequed for ever and ever)! So what? God's Word says over and over again that the wicked are consumed away, that they PERISH! Even the most quoted verse of the Bible declares it to be so: Thus saith the Lord in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Yes, the word perish in John 3:16 is "apollumi" which now you know means to "destroy fully".

Now hear these words of your Father in your ear:

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

[30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Luke 21:18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish.

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

It is amazing how good our Father is to us. Did you know that He has not only foretold us all these things (Mark 13:24) but He has also had "written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Cor. 10:13)", ensamples, types, acted out in HisStory to give us a visible similitude of those things that are invisible, i.e. that are spiritual?  And in so much as Christ brings the Book of Daniel into the picture in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 concerning "that same hour" of great tribulation when some of God's elect are delivered up to death, i.e. Apollyon, Satan, the abomination of desolation, the king of Babylon of Revelation, etc., we find an ensample in Daniel where "not an hair" on the head of His servants was harm when they were delivered up to death. In this ensample we see real fire being used that we might "see" spiritual fire, even the spiritual confrontation of these last days. To that end, let us go to the Book of Daniel and spend some time there learning from the type.

We pick up the story flow where the king of Babylon, Satan as a type of false-christ in the last days, has set up a golden image and as world ruler he has "heralded the command" to ALL people, nations, and languages to be in tune to the music and when they hear it to "fall down and worship" that image (see Rev. 13:15).

Here is the decree:

Dan 3:4 Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

Dan 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

Dan 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Dan 3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Dan 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Dan 3:9 They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever.

They are "little tattle tales" and here is their snitch report where they even cite excerpts from the official decree:

... Dan 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Dan 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Dan 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Dan 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Dan 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

So should you be anxious or worry about those who call kill the flesh when you know with certitude and it is written that your Father knows exactly what is happening in your life? Again, if He knows about the status of each little insignificant-by-comparison sparrow, like when one falls to the ground, how much more is He aware of each of His precious children, like when some of them are cast into a burning fiery furnace? Woe!

Matthew 10:31
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Thank you Father for the love you have given us.

"What would it take for you to 'sell out' and compromise the Word of God? Could you be swayed from the truth of His Word because your family turned on you?

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ, a follower and doer of His Word? If so, is there anything in this world that could separate you from the love of Christ? Think about it as we complete our study of the great tenth chapter of the Book of Matthew. Remember that Christ is about to send forth His disciples to labor in the field, thereby making them "apostles", the word itself meaning "sent forth". He has already forewarned them not to depart from His teachings but in doing so, i.e. by faithfully following the Master as His students, they could expect to be ridiculed and persecuted even as He was!  However, no matter how hot things "are wont to be", as the good Shepherd He will always be there in the midst of the fire to lead, guide, and protect His own.

Let us now take heed to His final instructions.

Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

And so it is that "whosoever" will confess Jesus Christ, the true Logos, the Word of God, before men instead of the "sweet little Lord Jesus" traditions of men, is that servant who shall be in good standing... having done the Father's will... and the Lord Jesus Christ who now sits at His right hand in heaven shall surely confess that faithful one before the Father!
On the other hand...

[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

deny, G720 ????????? arneomai ar-neh'-om-ahee
Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the middle of G4483; to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse.

In fact, this is the very first warning Christ gives concerning this final generation:

Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

If you think not, then read again Mat. 7:21-23.

Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

To better understand this we could consider another analogy used for the Word of God... Light! From the beginning God sent the Light into the world of darkness to divide the light from the darkness, the day from the night, even the children of light from the children of darkness. It is the Plan for this flesh age. Genesis 1:4 "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." You "see", Jesus Christ is that Light (John 1:1-12) which came into the world and those who dwell in Him are children of light. 1 Thes. 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

It is written that in this final generation of the fig tree that Satan, i.e. the Prince of Darkness, will appear as an angel of light to bring peace to this earth. However, it will be a false peace by a false messiah for the children of light know that there can be no real and lasting peace until the Prince of Peace comes to rule all nations with a rod of iron. To that end, there is a great spiritual battle raging in these last days and the true servants of God are mentally and spiritually prepared to war against the evil one and take a stand against his fiery darts.

Ephes. 6:11-17
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

[14]Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Next, Christ tells us what happens, even at home, when we pick up that sword of truth He sent to us and begin to use it.

Matthew 10:35
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

[36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Micah 7:6
For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

So now that Jesus Christ has foretold us that teaching the Word of God as it is written will at times cut and cause division and bring about persecution even from your closest loved ones, He now gives His disciples/apostles instructions concerning their priorities and their commitment to Him. The questions that arise are, "What would it take for you to 'sell out' and compromise the Word of God? Could you be swayed from the truth of His Word because your family turned on you? How about if you were delivered up to death, to antichrist himself, as were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo in type?"Jesus Christ says that if either is the case, you are not really not a true believer in Him and so you are not worthy of being His disciple.

Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Rev. 2:4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

first, protos, pro'-tos, Greek 4413; contracted superlative of Greek 4253 (pro); foremost (in time, place, order or importance) :- before, beginning, best, chief (-est), first (of all), former.

love, agape, ag-ah'-pay, Greek 26; from Greek 25 (agapao); love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast :- (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

cross, stauros, stow-ros', Greek 4716; from the base of Greek 2476 (histemi); a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (special) a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figurative exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication the atonement of Christ :- cross.

[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 10:40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Matthew 10:41
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

And you know what else? The prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah and Daniel are all part of that same brotherhood who all receive the same eternal reward. Even the apostle John declared that he was one of our brothers (Philadelphia) and companions in tribulation (Smyrna) and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. In other words, John did not elevate himself above others.

Rev. 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

You see, you cannot out give your heavenly Father, for it is NOT about volume or quantity. It is about love and doing things His way, according to His will, that which you are able. And in doing so, you show your faith and your love for Him and so you shall in no wise lose your reward!

Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net