http://www.americanwisdomseries.comPresents
MATTHEWChapter 4
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 4
"Jesus Christ's Temptation; Beginning of Ministry."
The Messiah has been baptized, and anointed and is going to begin His ministry. Note where His ministry begins, and that immediately He went into the wilderness for this temptation. The first message that Jesus gave was to Satan himself. When your ministry begins, it's better that you come out ready to take on the enemy right at the first.
Matthew 4:1 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
It was intended that Jesus would be tempted right from the start. Following the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was the Holy Spirit that led Him to the area of temptation. Why would this be? Because Christ is setting the example for you as to what you will face when you repent and are saved. Upon your repentance is not when your temptations are over, but the start of the most fierce spiritual battles that you will face.
Sometimes you will falter, miss the mark and yield to those temptations, and fall short. So we see that the first thing that Jesus shows us, in our walk as a Christian, is that the strongest temptations will come in the beginning. Just like Jesus had the victory over Satan, so also you can have victory over Satan, and this chapter is the demonstration showing us how we also will have victory over Satan's temptation.
Matthew 4:2 "And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered."
Fasting forty days would put the flesh in a very weak condition, it would give the advantage to Satan' over the flesh. There were probably many other temptations that came to Jesus, but those named here are most likely the strongest, and the ones we are to learn. The first Adam was tempted in the garden, while this second Adam was tempted in the wilderness. The first Adam fell to temptation, while the second Adam stood against all the temptations Satan sent His way.
The first Adam brought sin into this earth age, while the second Adam brought victory over Satan, and eternal life back to man. In I Corinthians 15:45-48 tells of this. "And so it is written, "The first man Adam was made a living soul;" the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." [45]The term "quickening spirit", means living spirit. "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [46] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. [47] As is the earth, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly." [48]
When we believe in Jesus Christ, and are baptized into the new life, the Spirit of God quickens us, puts a new life in us, and that life is a Heavenly life, which is a spiritual life.
Matthew 4:3 "And when the tempter came to Him, he said," If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
The tempter, Satan is very wise, and notice that Satan will use the scripture in his attack on you. He knows the Bible more then you will ever; and this is why we must study, and go back to it when under spiritual attack. Satan loves the Scripture, but, will misquote it to suit his purpose. Are you wise enough to know when he does that with the Scripture? The Kenites also are great twisters of the truth. God warns us of that in these latter days, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ [claiming to be carrying a message from God]; and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:4, 5 Yep, they'll say they represent Christ and then misquote things He said.
Today the truth from God's word is presented in such a fashion that it sounds so good, but in many cases it is twisted to the point of becoming a lie. People are placing their eternal life on the words of these deceivers, and in the end, God will turn them to be turned over to Satan, the Antichrist. They have allowed themselves to be deceived. Watch and learn from the example given here by Jesus Christ.
Editor's Note:: Don't even think these Kenites are only found attached to that little country in the middle east which we call Israel today. They're also in our Christian churches, especially our denominational churches, but, also our so-called Bible churches. I once belonged to a Bible church that I thought, at the time, was a very good one. Then I realized that if you are teaching Sunday School from some denominations quarterly and you have a one verse rev. reading only a verse or two from the Bible and spending the rest of his sermon talking about current events or his own past experiences, you may just as well be supporting the denominational church on the other corner, which isn't teaching the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, rightly dividing the "Word of Truth" either.
Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"."
Did you get that; "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God". You have to take the entire Scripture, and not throw parts out, (the Old Testament and Revelation) like is done in many churches today. Our answer to Satan, or any of those in Satan's service is what is written in God's Word. Jesus is quoting from the prophecy that God gave to Moses in Deuteronomy 8:3.
"And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou kewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." This is the first speaking of the teaching of the Scriptures, declaring "It is written", and we see that the first teaching is to Satan, and not man.
Matthew 4:5 "Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,"
This holy city is Jerusalem, and it is there that the Antichrist [Satan] will stand and declare himself to be God. This is the same type of temptation that we will see Satan in very shortly, which Daniel called the Abomination by the Desolater, in Daniel 9:27. Satan will commit his abominable act five months before the coming of the our Lord, Jesus Christ, and most of the people living today on the earth will witness it, and believe that he is the true Messiah. Do you know how to tell them apart? Do you know how to recognize which is holy and which is profane?
Paul writes in II Thessalonians 2:4; "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." This is exactly what Satan is tempting Jesus with. Though Satan will claim to have all the earth, and he will have. However, when he declares himself to be God, that is the abomination that will seal his doom. Jesus will be given the kingdom of the earth, but it will be at the appointed time, and that time has not come yet. In this earth age, Satan's is the prince of this world now. But his time of reign will end at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and the return of Jesus Christ as the King of kings.
Satan is the prince of this earth age, and it is still given unto Satan to tempt man, and deceive man, if man will allow himself to be deceived. Each soul of man must make its own mind up whether he [she] will love and obey God, or yield to Satan. Satan is the prince of this world, and he will offer you what ever it takes to get your soul. Who do you listen to?
Matthew 4:6 "And saith unto Him, "If thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone."
This is Satan talking to Jesus, and he has the gull to quote Scripture to Jesus the Messiah. Satan is quoting the Scripture like most preachers today, for he is misquoting it, taking it out of context, and using it for his own gain. Satan is garbling it by omitting the essential words. The quotation is found in Psalm 91:11, 12; "For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [11] They shall bear thee up in their hand, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." [12]
Did you get what was omitted? "In all thy ways." A "way" is a path, or a course that you set for yourself. These verses are aimed to the person that sets a path that he will follow, and while following that path, God's angels will protect you along that path. When you leave that path then the angel will not necessarily give that protection to you. You must be obedient to the Word of God to expect this type of protection.
When you leave part of the text out, or take it out of context, you lie, and deceive others, just as Satan did here. Most of the quote is true, however what was left out mades the entire quote void. It turned the quote from the authority of God, to nothing more then a selfish motive.
When people, or even your pastor quotes Scripture to you, do you have the knowledge to know whether they are lying to you, or if it is in fact in God's Word. There is only one way to protect yourself, and that is to check it out for yourself. Satan does more damage from the pulpits, that from bars, or any place else.
Matthew 4:7 "Jesus said unto him, "It is written again, 'Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God'."
Christ is the Living Word, He is the Scripture, and that is why there is no way He could be tripped up by Satan on the Word. Know this, that Satan will tempt you also, exactly as he has tempted Jesus. If you have a weakness Satan will find it, and if you can be bought then Satan, will pay the price to get you, for he is the prince of this world, and his offspring, the Kenites are in control of the dynasties of this world. However when you set the course that is given in the Bible, then God's Spirit will protect your every path.
This is Jesus answer to Satan. Jesus again is quoting from the Word of God, and that passage is found in Deuteronomy 6:16. However let's start with verse 15. "(For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee form off the face of the earth." [15] "Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah." [16] "Massah" in the Hebrew text, is "desert".
Matthew 4:8 "Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them ;"
We are in an age now that this verse is very important to us. This verse documents that Satan is the head of the fourth and final kingdom, that we refer to as the "Daniels image". It is the "non-descript beast". It is none other then Satan himself, because the nations of all the world, were not even known at this time, for all nations will be one. This verse is looking to the future, even in this final generation.
We are going into "One Worldism" and that is a fact. The entire world will be part of that system, and all of the power of the world will soon be wrapped up into one big lump, with Satan at the head. When Satan shows his world kingdom to you, will it be tempting to take part in it? God's elect will see it for what it is, just as Jesus did, and our response to Satan will be the same that we will see Jesus giving here.
Live Link to- "Mystery Babylon"
Every one of God's elect know that Satan will come first, and they will see right through the lies and deceptions, and deceiving wonders that will be performed to deceive all of mankind. That knowledge in your heart, which is your mind and intellect, is the seal of God spoken of inRevelation 9:4. They also know that that time was cut short for their sake [the elect's], and the time of Satan's rule will be only five months, as recorded in Revelation 9:5, 10.
Revelation 9:5; "And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man." The ones doing the striking are Satan's locust army of followers during that great tribulation, and the ones that are being struck are all people that are not sealed of God in their foreheads, that are living in that day. The striking will be with lies and deceptions, and the entire world will believe them. This generation will face Satan's lies.
Live Link to- Scorpions
So now we will see the example that Christ sets for us.
Matthew 4:9 "And saith unto Him, "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
Are you going to worship Satan? He is coming as the false Messiah, and if you are looking to fly out of here through some rapture, you are being deceived. Daniel tells us that when Satan comes, he will offer you peace and prosperity. The war that Satan brings as the Antichrist, is a spiritual war, and that is what will deceive all but the elect.
Daniel 8:24; "And his [Satan's] power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy People." We are told in Revelation 9:1, and in II Thessalonians 2:9, 10 that the power and authority that Satan has to deceive the world is given to him by God. Satan will use that authority to work wonders to convince Christians that he is their Messiah, and they will believe it. Why? Because they were taught such in their church houses, led by the Kenites.
Daniel 8:25; "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken with out hand." The policy are the limits that are set, and under the policy all matters dealing with the running of that company, or government are stated. In this case, the government will a religious beast system, that has Satan as it's head, and under Satan's control he can offer you whatever it takes to get your obedience to him, and to bow to him.
Notice that Satan, the Antichrist, will come in and cause craft, or business to prosper. He will present himself to you as one who can satisfy all your needs, keep your business strong, and cause peace throughout all the world. However if you accept Satan's peace, even in ignorance, you will be destroyed, as the entire world will, except God's elect. It will be your soul that will be destroyed, and the destruction is spiritual, which is forever!
So you see that Satan will offer to you, exactly what he has offered to Jesus, now here is what Jesus tells us to answer, when we are given Satan's offer through his new world order.
Matthew 4:10 :Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan:: for it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.' "
Here it is again, friend, our defense is from the Word of God. This is why we need to get used to standing on it. This again comes from Deuteronomy 6:13 "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt awear by his name". Even though it looks on the surface like Satan has complete control over the entire earth; in the name of Jesus we have power over Satan and all of his forces. That power comes from the Holy Spirit of God, that came down and entered Jesus at the baptism, and there is no power anywhere that has authority over Jesus. When we repent, and call upon the name of Jesus we have that power.
Though mankind gets confused over who Jesus, and God the Father and the Holy Spirit is, the demons, and Satan do not, they know exactly who He is, and they submit completely to God upon His authority. God allows them to exist, and tempt man, however man has free will to chose whom he will, and at the appointed time of God's choosing, they will all be destroyed.
Keep in mind that you have authority over Satan, and until you give in to him, he has no power over you. So your answer is the same one that Jesus gave. "Get thee hence, Satan", or in today's terms, "Get behind me, Satan." You order Satan out of your house, and your life. When you do, he must go. if you order it "in the name of Jesus Christ." That is how you anoint your house and your life.
Today there is a modern teaching that is promoted by some of the new versions of the Bible, and it is all part of this "New Age Movement". The new teaching is that there is no devil, and there is no Satan, and that the base root of word "Satan" in the Hebrew is "destroyer". They want you to use the word "adversary" instead. They want you to use the base word "adversary" rather then placing the name of Satan on a man; and as such they say that this "adversary" is just a negative part of you. If you are so ignorant to believe this, then you would believe that there was no one in the wilderness tempting Jesus, and then God's Word becomes a lie to you.
Live Link to- The famine is coming
If you accept this doctrine of the "New Age" movement, then you would be saying that Jesus the Son of God had a negative side also, and sin could exist in Him, and this cannot be possible. It is a doctrine of the devil [promoted by the Kenites], and if it is taught in your church, run from it, for your very soul is in danger. If Christ had a negative side then Christ's death and resurrection would be of no value to sinning man, and Jesus Christ could not have been perfect. To say this is a lie, yet that is what will be believed largely by most, very shortly. When this is accepted by most Christians, salvation will be void to them.
Christ was a spotless sacrifice, and the many doctrines of demons that many churches entertain today, makes Christianity very confusing to those on the outside. Satan has many names, and each name identifies him by the many roles that he played in the Bible; however he is one person, he is real, and he will tempt you just as he did Jesus.
Matthew 4:11 "Then the devil leaveth Him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him."
After Jesus ordered Satan away, the angels came and ministered to Jesus. He hadn't had food for the past forty days. Ministered does not mean that they preached to Him, but tended to his physical needs. Notice that the first one that Christ ministered to was Satan, and now that this role of Satan is over. In the end of the Millennium age, Satan will be turned to ashes in the pits of Hell and be gone forever.
Matthew 4:12 "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee;"
This is the start of Jesus ministry to mankind. The disciples have not been chosen yet, and in the word "cast", meant that John had been delivered up for his first trial.
Matthew 4:13 "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:"
To explain what the words mean in the original text; "Nazareth" means "the guarded one". The word "Capernaum", comes from the Hebrew word, "Nahum" which is "to be given", or "consolation", and "Zebulon" means "habitation", and Naphthalim means "my wrestling's". These words were chosen, and give prophecy within themselves.
So lets use the original test language. "And leaving the guarded one he came to the place of consolation, which is on the sea coast of the borders of habitation, and the start of His ministry [wrestling's]. Wrestling with Satan.
Matthew 4:14 "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,"
Matthew 4:15 ""The land of Zabulon, and the land of Naphthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;"
This is a quotation from Isaiah 9:1, 2: Notice that Galilee at this time was the land of the Gentiles. The people living there were not of the House of Israel, which were scattered seven centuries prior, and they also were not of the Jews [The house of Judah]. (The descendants of the ancient House of Israel who were scattered in 700 B.C. are, or should I say, have become the Christian nations of Europe and the Americas.)
Isaiah 9:1; "Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first He lightly afflicted in land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and after ward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations."
Isaiah 9:2; "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."
We know that it was written long before Christ came as a Child to the earth, that this Scripture would be fulfilled. That most of His teaching and ministry would be in Galilee, just as the Prophet Isaiah had prophesied from God.
Matthew 4:16 "The People which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."
This prophecy was given over seven hundred years before it came to pass, and that is how you tell a true prophet from that false one. The test is if what he said comes to pass, and if it doesn't, then he is a fake. We have many so-called prophets today that write their books on prophecy each year, because they make their corrections on an annual basis. Yet people buy the books and just can't wait until the next version of lies and disinformation comes out.
Isaiah was a true prophet, for what he said was of God, and did come to pass. The "Great Light" was Jesus Christ and wherever Jesus went, He brought light, spiritual light to the souls that saw and heard Him. When Jesus laid hands on people, they were healed, and shadow of death went from them. Jesus ministry has started. There is nothing in that ministry that was not foretold, and written in the Old Testament. But you would never know that if you only listen to your pastor, in most of our 21st. century Christian churches, who tells you you need not study the old Testament or even the book of Revelation.
Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
"Repent" is not just a magic word, but a true change of heart and mind. It is being truly sorry for the sin that is in your life, and the wrong that you have caused others. It is setting a new course in your life, a new path and the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will hold us up and give guidance and protect our minds, when that path is following the course set forth in His Holy Word.
A "Kingdom" is a "King and his domain", Christ is the King, and all those that repent are part of Jesus Christ's domain. God's dominion is where ever He chooses it to be. The kingdom of Heaven is in your heart, which is the intellect of your mind. It is what you know to be true, and believe in. When you repent, your heart is clean and you enter into that kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 4:18 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers."
Peter and Andrew were not sports fishermen, but commercial fishermen. They made their living by catching and selling their fish.
Matthew 4:19 "And He saith unto them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
"Fishers of men", means seekers of men's souls. Notice that when Jesus saw them, He called out and they came immediately. There was no altar call, and begging to come with Him. They heard, understood and came immediately. Did they wait to straighten up their nets, and think about it first? Was there even a choice given to them?
Live Link to- We do not all have "FREE WILL"
When the truth of the living God enters your heart and strikes your mind, you will hear Him say "follow me", and there is no hesitation. You go! You know you have a destiny and a purpose.
Matthew 4:20 "And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him."
Jesus just came out of the wilderness, and was tried by Satan; if you drop what you are doing and follow Christ in His pathway, will you be able to handle the strong temptations that Satan, and his band of Scripture lawyers can throw at you. That is why the first thing you must do when you follow Jesus is to get into His Word, so that you cannot be deceived.
Today there are many of Satan's warriors preaching from the pulpits to rip you off for your finances, and to gain control of your mind. Anything done to line ones own pockets, in the name of God is Satan's work. If you listen to them, you become their daily bread, and their pension fund. When you drop your old life of sin, and your mind is cleaned of those filthy ways, it must be filled with God's Word through study, or Satan's demons will come back and enter your mind, and you will be worse then before.
God expects for you to be intelligent and learn from His Word, and not allow some "snake charmer" [a dabbler in the Scriptures] to control your mind, with half truths and and distortions from the Bible. When Christ says to "follow Me", He expects you to take control and tell Satan to get off your back. He expects you to stand up and become one of His soldiers, in the service of the King. Physical health has nothing to do with this, this is a spiritual battle, and it is the preparation of your heart, by girding up your mind that prepares you for that spiritual battle.
Jesus Christ simply said follow Me.
Matthew 4:21 "And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them."
Matthew 4:22 "And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him."
Here again there is no altar calls, no time to consider "should I, or not?", they dropped what they were doing, and left their father in the boat, and followed Christ. When you have a destiny, and God touches your life, and gives you understanding, you will know it. Christ didn't fool around, and play games with them, He called them, and they responded "immediately". They knew the truth, and when the call came, like a true soldier, they went.
Editor's Note:: Jesus knew they would because He knew their hearts from the "First Earth Age"
Matthew 4:23 "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
Jesus took His four followers, and went right to the churches [the synagogues]. He began preaching the "Gospel of the Kingdom". He preached the entire Word, the Gospel of His kingdom, of the King [Christ] and his dominion [those that repent and become part of the body of Christ].
Matthew 4:24 "And
his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick
people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those
which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and
those that had the palsy; and he healed them."
Jesus not only tended to their spiritual needs, and filled their minds with the Gospel of the Kingdom, but He tended also to their physical needs. He healed their diseases and things that gave them pain, and cast out the devils [demons] that were in them. Notice the word "Lunatick", in the Strong' Greek dictionary, # 4583, "Seleniazomai, sel-ay-nee-ad'-zom-ahee; to be moon-struck, i.e. crazy: be lunatic." Jesus Christ even healed those with mental problem, which today we refer to as being crazy. He healed those paralyzed, and with all the sickness of that day.
Jesus Christ tended to both their spiritual and their physical needs, and He works today as He did then. It take much prayer and fasting on the part of the Christian, fasting is the same as feasting that will come in the end times, the famine, as written in Amos 8:11; "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:"
So-called ministers of healing can heal no one. You may say that he can heal, but he can not. It is Christ that does the Healing, and when anyone is healed, it is because they were touched of Christ. No man can heal, for only Christ can do the healing to those that He determines should be healed, and they are healed for His purpose. There are many times that people are healed, and the healing starts through the heart, however there are many times that Christ will not heal. Poor old Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, could never get his healing, while he was the one that Christ used to heal many others. Paul had been to the third heaven, and God kept that thorn in Paul to keep him humble.
Matthew 4:25 "And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan."
What was Jesus fame all about? Jesus Christ fame went out as a healer, and to most people the Gospel was secondary. They were not so much interested in Jesus as the Messiah, but as one that could cast out demons.
"Decapolis" in the Greek, means "a ten city region", and shortly there will be another ten dominion ruler that will try to take captive the hearts of men. That man is Satan, and we read of it in the book of Revelation, and Daniel. The ten regions or cities are areas of power and authority that are beginning take charge of the entire world today. These powers are all linked to the new world order, that is a political beast, and shortly will be given over to the religious beast that Satan will rule over as the Antichrist.
So this is the start of Jesus Christ's three year ministry, and at this time four of his Apostles have been chosen, and commanded to follow Him.
Editor's Note::: We are going to stop here in our "Book of Matthew Study" to review some commentary from chapter4 in an earlier study we published of Matthew. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these two authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of Matthew.
In order to "live" (as in eternally) man must partake of the heavenly manna, that spiritual bread from above which is the rich nutrition of the Word of God, which alone gives and sustains life.
Let us now learn from the example of Jesus Christ how to handle Satan, the chief scripture lawyer! As preface to the three separate temptations recorded here in Matthew, here is a brief outline of the flow:
Temptation. "If Thou be"
Answer. "It is written"
Temptation. "If Thou be"
Answer. "It is written"
Temptation. "If Thou wilt"
Answer. "It is written"
Not only did Jesus Christ come to this earth to pay the price and to defeat death (Heb. 2:14), which is Satan, but the following verse also speaks to the importance of this temptation.Matthew 4:1
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
So we now see Jesus Christ about to be tempted one on one, not just by the spirit of Satan, but by Satan himself, just like he tempted Eve. This is extremely important information, for those in this final generation shall also face this spurious messiah when he comes at the sound of the 6th Trump claiming to be God (2 Thes. 2).Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Numbers in scripture have spiritual significance and help us to partake of that "hidden manna", giving us a deeper level of understanding. For instance: each time the number 40 is used throughout the Bible it denotes probation or testing, e.g. it rained 40 days and 40 nights at the time of the flood, Israel wandered in the wilderness 40 years, Moses was on the mountain 40 days, and here we see Christ tempted of Satan after 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness.[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred.
Here are a few other numbers and their meanings:
Note: See appendix 10 in the back of the "Companion Bible", Kregel Publishers, for a brief synopsis of numbers in the Bible.5 = Grace
6 = Man
7 = Spiritual Completion
8 = Resurrection & New Beginnings
10 = Law or Ordinal Perfection as in the 10 commandments
12 = Governmental Perfection as in 12 tribes, 12 apostles, etc.
Now, it is obvious that after 40
days and 40 nights of not eating, Christ certainly would have been "an
hungered" and Satan knows it! Therefore,
Satan will use this moment of flesh weakness to tempt and challenge Christ
concerning His authority! Do you know
what your weaknesses are? I sure hope you do not think that
you do not have any (for then ego and self-righteousness are evidently
two of them) and furthermore, do not think for one moment Satan doesn't
know them also. He is
especially cognizant of the weaknesses of God's servants and handmaidens,
to which HIStory shows... beginning with the woman in the garden, you know...
Adam's wife to whom he listened!
We are now going to read the very first words from the lips of Jesus Christ following the anointing of the Holy Spirit as He faces the spiritual temptation of Satan. Remember well these first three words of Christ for they should forever be words of example to all the servants of God.[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Christ may have been hungry for physical nourishment but He certainly had no fear of starving to death and He did not allow the crying out of the flesh to prevent Him from walking in the spirit, so He was able to "see" right through Satan's motive to use this opportunity to cause Him to stumble. To that end, Christ quoted from the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy to draw OUR ATTENTION to, and make the analogy to, the temptation of Israel in the wilderness, which is "written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Cor. 10:11).[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Do you want happiness and peace of mind... ETERNALLY, as in life eternal? Then stay in His Word and walk in His ways and you shall possess it because the LORD has PROMISED it to be so... those who love and serve Him. You "see", if you partake of the true bread of life, you shall never hunger nor thirst! John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.Deut. 8:1-4
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
If you have wisdom from His Word, then you know that that our trials and temptations are opportunities to show forth the love and trust we have for our Father and His Word. James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."[2] And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
In order to "live" (as in eternally) man must partake of the heavenly manna, that spiritual bread from above which is the rich nutrition of the Word of God, which alone gives and sustains life. John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."[3] And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
And so it shall be with your spiritual raiment (Rev. 19:18) when you partake of the heavenly manna![4] Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
The holy city is Jerusalem and the pinnacle is Mt. Zion, the seat to where Satan, the false Messiah, will soon come!Matthew 4:5
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Satan is again challenging the authority of Jesus Christ and has twisted a quotation from the 91st Psalm, a Psalm written by Moses, in his futile attempt to tempt God! Take heed to this devious method of making the scriptures appear to say something they do not say, simply by omitting or adding to that which is written. To say God doesn't like that would be a gross understatement of that which is written so we will let the Word of God speak to this: Rev. 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.[6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Satan is guilty of doing BOTH! So let's compare what is actually written to what Satan quoted and note the changing of God's truth by his both "taking away" from the prophecy (teaching of God's Word) and "adding to" it:
Well, lookie there! Satan left out (took away) the whole object of the subject which is "to keep thee in all they ways". That's the charge the angels have been given! You know what this reminds me of? Many preachers tell our unsuspecting brothers and sisters who listen to them and follow their words without checking out what they teach in the scriptures (that's a Big Boo-Boo), that if they just have faith in God then they can claim the following verse from John 15:16 "that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, He may give you." They apply that to asking for all sorts of things, even and especially material things. But the subject and context of the scripture from which this quote is taken concerns God's elect and their doing the work of God in "bringing forth fruit". Whatsoever you ask in the name of Christ to help you produce that fruit, such as wisdom and understanding to help teach, etc., He will give unto you.Psalm 91:11
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Let us now continue with the 91st Psalm.John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you.
Go back and re-read what Satan said and you will notice that he added the words "at any time", changing the intent of the bearing up which applies to "keeping thee in all thy ways" to now include jumping off a cliff!Psalm 91:12
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Satan also totally ignored the next verse, which you better believe he is well aware of. You see, Christ has all power and authority in both heaven and earth and He has given that power, which is His Word, His Spirit, unto His servants: 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."
It is those who love their Father and keep his ways that He lifts up and delivers.[13] Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
There is no other way to be set on high. God will protect those who know Him, those who "call upon His name" which means to cry (proclaim) His name (His authority which is His Word). Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
So after Satan botched up quoting the 91st Psalm in trying to tempt Christ, a scheme of which Christ was totally aware, here was the Lord's reply.[15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.[16] With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Jesus once again refers to Deuteronomy where the admonition to us is to stay in His Word DILIGENTLY keeping His commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes, which He has commanded thee! If you don't, then those ministers of Satan who appear as angels of light will be able to give a little twist to God's Word and just like Eve...DOWN YOU GO!Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Would you believe that the majority of so-called Christian ministers today fit into this category today and have deceived the majority of our people (5 out of the 7 churches in Rev. 2 & 3) into accepting phony doctrines of men like "any-moment rapture theories", etc.? Christ said it would be that way in the final generation of the "fig tree": Mark 13:6 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."2 Cor. 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Here then is the section of scripture in the Book of Deuteronomy that Christ quoted and expects His servants to be familiar with (yes it is in the Old Testament)!
And so do not argue with Satan or his children! You "see", it is the power and the authority of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, that "casts out all thine enemies". Now, enjoy the privilege of watching our Savior do just that, i.e. cast out the enemy, in these next verses!Deut. 6:16-19
Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.[17] Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
[18] And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
[19] To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
Oh, let's try the worldly power and ego trip on Jesus Christ. That's a HOOT! Like we believe there is anything in this flesh age worthy to be compared with the glory which lies beyond the veil of this dimension! Besides, God's elect have not only read the Book of Ecclesiastes wherein the man of wisdom who once HAD IT ALL (he's dead now... it happens you know) documents that there is not enough power, not enough money, not enough Hollywood entertainers, not enough fast women, and not enough wine to satisfy the flesh for but a short time, but many of God's elect once personally tested various parts of his research (heh, heh, you know who you are) to know that it is true!Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
What will it take for you to fall down and worship him? Take notice from this verse that Satan has these things at his disposal to give and so he uses money, power, and ego very effectively in his repertoire of wiles![9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Now here comes "the casting out of thine enemies from before thee" (Ps. 91:19)!
Hey, another quote from Deuteronomy chapter 6! It would do one well to diligently read and study the whole chapter![10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: forit is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
To swear by His name is to act by and with His authority, which is the Word of God. Jesus Christ set the example right here in Matthew for us to follow. And when you order Satan and his demonics OUT from before thee in His name... he is subject to that power and authority!Deut. 6:13
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by his name.
Let there be no doubt whatsoever in your mind about who is in charge! Just remember to stay in His Word and be real careful of those who claim to represent Christ by checking out what they say with the supreme and ultimate authority, the Word of God, to see if there are any twists or omissions or added statements that are meant to CHANGE the truth into a lie!Matthew 4:11
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.
1 Thes. 5:21
Prove all
things; hold fast that which is good.
The time has now come for Jesus Christ to openly begin His ministry.
The time has now come for Jesus Christ to openly begin His ministry according to and after the manner of that which is already written in the law and the prophets! It is truly amazing how one can trace and follow His ministry from the Old Testament! In fact, anyone who is familiar with the prophecies contained therein, many of which we have already covered (e.g. His birthplace, called out of Egypt, etc.) and all of which Messiah must needs fulfill, can easily discredit a phony, an imposter who comes claiming to be the Messiah, with a few "it is written's"!
Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of God, knows that John the baptist's ministry has ended and it is now time for the Call to Repentance and the Proclamation of the GOOD NEWS that Kingdom of heaven is NOW AT HAND for WHOSOEVER will come and follow the Light that has come into the world. How is it that the kingdom of heaven is now "at hand"? Because the King of the dominion of heaven has come to earth and now dwells among men!Matthew 4:12
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison*, He departed into Galilee;
Also, it is important we take note that Jesus Christ, the Light which shines in the "darkness", openly began His ministry in Galilee, which means "the heathen circle".
Galilee = Galilaia, gal-il-ah'-yah, Greek 1056; of Hebrew origin [Hebrew 1551 (Galiyl)]; Galil'a (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine :- Galilee.
We will not take the time to review the history of this region in detail. Just know that this land was the first to be afflicted by the armies of Assyria (2 Kings 15:29) and so it was promised that it would be the first to see the Light of Messiah! How beautiful and how perfect is the Word of God. Here are the translations (meanings) of the names of the towns in verse 13. You can substitute them for the proper names and read the verse anew.[13] And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
Nazareth = the guarded one
Capernaum = city of consolation
Zabulon (Zebulun) = dwelling place or habitation
Napthalim (Naphtali) = my wrestling
Now we are now going to see the Light go forth and begin to shine in the great darkness! To that end, Jesus Christ will begin His ministry by announcing that the door to the kingdom of heaven is now open and all those who will repent (change) and follow the Light can see their way and enter in.
How fitting indeed that this is a fulfillment of that which is spoken by Isaiah the prophet for his very name means the "Salvation of Yah" which Christ has come to bring to the world of darkness. Of course it is by no accident that it should be so... for everything Christ did and even said was preordained of God. John 12:49 "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." And so it was that Christ began His ministry in Galilee because it was written that He would do so over 700 years prior to the event.[14] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
He brought light into the depth of the great darkness to shine unto and encompass ALL nations (Galilaia).Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
If you remember from Gen. 1:3, the great Light was the first thing God brought into the world of darkness which had become "tohu va bohu", utterly void and desolate, at the rebellion of Satan. Genesis 1:2-4 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. [3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. [4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Jesus Christ is that Light and the hope of our salvation. John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." To walk in the Light you must follow Him! Thus repentance is coupled with the proclamation of the GOOD NEWS (Gospel) of the Kingdom of God and the establishment of the King of Righteousness.
The joy and happiness and exultation that the Light shall bring to the world really is Good News and you know what else is GOOD NEWS? You can have all that joy and peace of mind even now if you will hear His call and follow Him.[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Here is how Dr. Bullinger translates verse three after noting on page 943 of the Companion Bible the error of translation caused by dividing the Hebrew word "haggil'o" into two words thereby adding the word "lo", which is "not". You will also find this consistent with Dr. Moffat's translation.
And there is more GOOD NEWS!Thou hast multiplied the exultation,
Thou hast increased the joy:
They joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest.
And as men exult when they divide the spoil.
It shall be a jubilant Jubilee indeed for Freedom and Liberty shall be "proclaimed throughout the land" and there shall be no more bondage and oppression. His rod and His staff which provide comfort and peace (Ps. 23) shall replace that staff of burden and that rod of oppression wielded by the taskmaster and the oppressor![4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The Kingdom comes in not without "Spiritual Warfare" so put on the whole gospel armor of God... but always remember it is written that "our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)" and when He and His spirit of Truth comes in contact with evil rudiments and iniquitous works, those things are "burned up", as in completely and totally consumed away! Peter documents this for us in 2 Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [evil rudiments] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
And so it is that God sent His only begotten Son into the darkened world to bring the Light and therefore salvation unto any and all who will now follow that Light (Jn. 3:16, Jn. 12:46).However, at His second advent He shall come as the King of king and Lords of lords to rule all nations and every knee shall bow to His name, i.e. His authority. The question is... since the kingdom of heaven is at hand will you accept Him as King and Lord now and be part of the kingdom that shall reign?
These "5" titles ("5" is the number of grace in Biblical numerics) are all part of the Comfort He gives to those who love Him.[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(1) Wonderful means "miracle or marvelous thing" and so it is that the Word of God works wonders and miracles in our lives.
(2) Counsellor means "to advise or consult" and so it is that we seek wisdom and counsel from His Word to lead us in the paths of righteousness, i.e. to do the right thing in all our affairs.
(3) The Mighty God has all power in heaven and earth and so it is He who is our Rock and our Fortress. Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
(4) The Everlasting Father. Only through partaking of the fruit from the Evergreen (Ever-Living) Tree of Life can we have everlasting (eternal) life. In fact, our Father likens Himself to and evergreen (fir) tree: Hosea 14:8 "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found."
(5) The Prince of Peace (see next verse) is the only ruler who can "order" true and lasting peace on this earth and "establish" it with truth and justice.
It is also written in the Book of Revelation concerning this child who was born to "rule all nations" in righteousness! Rev. 12:5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."[7] Of the increase of his government and peacethere shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
So we see that the 9th chapter of Isaiah speaks of the ministry of Jesus Christ being fulfilled in Matthew 4, concerning that Light coming into the darkest hour of the world and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God and that the Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace shall come and set up that kingdom to be established forever.
Next, we are going to "hear" from the King of kings and Lord of lords Himself (who we know now sits on the throne at the right hand of His Majesty in heaven) that the kingdom of God is at hand... which means that Christ, the Light, has already come into the world and that whosoever will believe in Him and follow that Light can be part of that great ruling kingdom RIGHT NOW! And they shall rule and reign with Him a thousand years throughout the Millennium (Rev. 20:6). So let us now return to Matthew 4 and pick up where Matthew quotes two verses from that great 9th chapter of Isaiah which declares the Lord's Proclamation of the Kingdom and the call to repentance! How perfect is the Word of God!
The Light which has "sprung up" to break the darkness is so beautifully called "the dayspring" by Dr. Luke.Matthew 4:15
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;[16] The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Want peace and happiness... from now until forever? Then come out of darkness and into the light of His marvelous truth (His Word) and He will guide your feet and keep you in the paths of His righteousness.Luke 1:77-79
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, [78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, [79] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The very King of the Dominion (king-dom) of heaven was right there with them, dwelling among them. Do not make the simplicity of this complicated nor mysterious. Very simply, if you love God and follow Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God (i.e. keep His commands which is His Word) then He is with you and dwells with you now! Again, the only condition is YOU loving Him by seeking Him through His Word.[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
You see, the Father Himself says that if you do not follow Christ, which is to study His Word and keep His sayings, then you do not love Jesus Christ!John 14:15-17
If ye love me, keep my commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Here it is:
At no time is going to church made to be a requirement of loving Him! In fact, and this may shock some, but church has little or nothing to do with the reality of Christianity unless His Word is taught there chapter by chapter and verse by verse for the purpose of setting God's children free. You "see", it is His Truth that sets men free... and that means free from the many church traditions which hold our people captive. Let's learn from Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, and see how it should be:John 14:24
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Peter and Andres were commercial fishermen which is how they made their living.Matthew 4:18
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Do you hear Him? You see, if you follow Jesus Christ, the Word of God, as one of His disciples, you too will become a fisher of men's souls. However, the fishing is not done for the purpose of self gain by putting them into your own boat (which will ultimately sink if you do, Luke 5:7) or the boat of some church or ministry (which shall incur the same fate), but to bring them to Jesus Christ, the Light of Truth, the Word of God... for to be fed meat and bread from His table, for they are His and they belong to Him, not captive in some boat (read Jn. 21:9-11).[19] And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
There was no emotional, guilt laden, pleading altar call at some church service which caused them to follow Jesus Christ. It was when they "heard" the words of Jesus Christ, the Word of God! Following Him then immediately (straightway) became the TOP PRIORITY in their lives.[20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.
Notice that the first ones to be called of God are "brothers", which is "aldelphos" in Greek. (Of course, those with eyes to see and ears to hear are thinking "Phil-adelphia"). The first two brothers were Simon (hearing) who was called "Peter" and "Andrew" his brother whose names mean "Rock" and "Man or Husband" respectively. The second two brothers were James and John whose names mean "Contender or Supplanter" (James is a form of Jacob) and "Gift of Yah" respectively. Amazing, isn't it? Simply amazing![21] And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.
So the disciples, when they "heard" with their ears the Words of Jesus Christ, they knew it was the true Word of God and so the "nets" they were casting, i.e. their career goals in life, the commercial "ship" they were sailing as they were setting their future in order (mending their nets), and all their earthly "gifts" (Zebedee means 'gift') including their earthly father (if you have understanding, Luke 14:26) immediately became secondary priorities to the Word of God and His kingdom. Yes, it is that exciting to "hear" the true voice of the Great Shepherd![22] And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him.
And so it is that Jesus Christ began to teach His Word and proclaim the GOOD NEWS of the kingdom all around Galilee and heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people! You "see", it is Jesus Christ who heals all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Man most often looks only upon the flesh as being sick while the true illness lies in the mind of the soul which is void of His Word.[23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching [proclaiming] the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
[24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them.
Those with eyes to see, while taking note that the word "Decapolis" means 10 cities (deca = 10, polis = city), should be reminded of that which is yet to come in the "metropolises" headed by the 10 men of Zech 8:20-23.[25] And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.lunatick = seleniazomai, sel-ay-nee-ad'-zom-ahee, Greek 4583; middle or passive from a presumed derivative of Greek 4582 (selene); to be moon-struck, i.e. crazy :- be lunatic.
Nevertheless, in our next study we are going to learn the characteristics of a true disciple of Christ. If you think you already know what they are, you just may be surprised!
Published by:
Rhine
Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net