Presents
Matthew #2507
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13
Presents
Matthew #2507
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13
The Book of Matthew presents Jesus Christ as Yahveh's King and to that end we saw in our last study where Christ began to teach and proclaim the GOOD NEWS of the kingdom, which is the King and His Dominion, all around Galilee and heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. It is written that as a result, His fame went throughout all Syria and they brought unto Him all sick people... and He healed them (Mat. 4:24). Therefore, great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from the ten-city area, and from Jerusalem, etc., followed Him (Mat. 4:25).
Why do you suppose the multitudes followed Christ? Was it because they hungered and thirsted after the wisdom and knowledge which comes from "hearing" the Word of God or was it because of the miracles and healings He performed? Think about it, for since there is nothing new under the sun, one has only to liken the "multitudes" who followed Christ back then to the "mainstream" or the majority of the followers of Christianity today and observe how seriously Biblically challenged (illiterate) our people are to know the answer.
In today's study Christ is going to teach us the characteristic makeup of the true servants of God who are the children of Light and who joyfully and happily follow after that Light which is Jesus Christ. These eight characteristics are called the Beatitudes which are in direct contrast to the eight Woes of the hypocritical children of darkness found in the 23rd chapter of Matthew. In fact, there is an appendix (126) in the back of the "Companion Bible", Kregel Publishers, which compares the Beatitudes to the Woes. Below is the table found in that appendix.
| "THE BEATITUDES" (5:3-12) | "THE WOES" (23:13-33) |
| 1. The kingdom opened to the poor (v. 3) | 1. The kingdom shut (v. 13) |
| 2. Comfort for mourners (v. 4) | 2. Mourners distressed (v. 14) |
| 3. The meek inheriting the earth (v. 5) | 3. Fanatics compassing the earth (v. 15) |
| 4. True righteousness sought by true desire (v. 6) | 4. False righteousness sought by casuistry (vv. 16-22) |
| 5. The merciful obtaining mercy (v. 7) | 5. Mercy "omitted" and "left undone" (vv. 23, 24) |
| 6. Purity within, and the vision of God hereafter (v. 8) | 6. Purity without, uncleanness within. "Blindness" (vv. 25, 26) |
| 7. Peacemakers, the sons of God (v. 9) | 7. Hypocrites, and lawless (vv. 27, 28) |
| 8. The persecuted (vv. 10-12) | 8. The persecutors (vv. 29-33) |
Let us now open our eyes and ears and observe what happens when Christ goes on high (up into a mountain) and sets Himself ready to teach.
Here we see that only His disciples came to Him for they also went up into the mountain to seek after Him to receive the deeper truths (meat) from the Word of God. The multitudes rarely if ever take the time to go to Him privately, to His Word, to sincerely gain the rich wisdom and deeper understandings which He "speaks" to those who seek to know Him. We will address this subject of the "multitudes" in greater detail when we get to the 13th chapter and discover why it is that Christ always spoke to them in parables.Matthew 5:1
And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:
It is commonly taught that Christ spoke in parables to make things clearer, which is true concerning His disciples, but not true when it comes to the "multitudes". Again, we will address this subject at a later time when we will also learn about the love Christ has for the multitudes who simply do not have eyes to see nor ears to hear. However, the point we are making here is that it is His true disciples who always "come unto Him" seeking wisdom and understanding from the Word of God.Matthew 13:34-35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Furthermore, the very word "disciple" means "a learner" which is a pupil or student, i.e. one who is schooled or "disciplined" in the Word of God. Ask yourself: Are you a student of His Word or do you follow the multitudes, the majority, who are followers of men's traditions? Are you one who goes regularly to church every Sunday but don't take the time to read the Bible during the week.
In other words, do you study His Word, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), or do you just go to church and get involved in goodly works instead of the "wonderful works of God" He has ordained for this final generation in the pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh?
Let us continue now where Christ has now gone up into the mountain to teach His disciples, who have also gone up unto the mountain (Mat. 5:1) to hear His voice!
All wisdom comes from His mouth, from His Word, wherein is contained knowledge and understanding which He freely gives to those who will come and take it.Matthew 5:2
And He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Jesus Christ works through His servants and so it shall be in this final generation from His mouth to the ears of His disciples and then through their mouths that the "gospel of the kingdom shall be preached [proclaimed] in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14)." You "see", it is His Word, the words from His mouth, that is to be spoken... not the traditions of men. Proverbs 2:6 is not only addressing the red letter words in the New Testament here; it refers to all Holy Spirit given scripture - THE WHOLE BIBLE!Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
His servants, His disciples, His watchmen, listen to His voice, which is His Word, and do speak His words after the manner of "Thus saith the Lord" and "It is written" (Ezek. 3:1-14)Deut. 32:1
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
The word "blessed" used in these Beatitudes means "supremely happy" or "exceedingly joyful", and it is those who are "poor in spirit", those who humbly yield their own spirit to His Spirit and recognize His supreme authority, that are blessed with such joy and happiness! You see, God's elect do not seek the riches of this world to find happiness nor do they follow after the spirits of this world but rather seek to be fed the wisdom and knowledge and understanding from the true Bread of Life.Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is also the "poor in spirit" who shall allow His Spirit to speak through them at the time of the delivering up to be a witness unto the nations in proclaiming the good news of the gospel of the kingdom to the nations of the world. Matthew 10:19-20 "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." They are truly blessed and spiritually rich indeed (see Rev. 2:9).
And so it is that these Beatitudes are the richness and spiritual strengths, qualities, and characteristics of the inheritors of the kingdom of God. They shall be blessed and happy indeed for "theirs is the kingdom" and they shall be part of the first resurrection, the raising to the status of eternal life at the return of Yeshua Messiah.
How is it that those who mourn can be exceedingly happy? Well first of all, the mourning spoken of here is not the "poor me baby" stuff of this world that we hear so often today! God's elect are not "cry babies" but rather loving, compassionate servants and handmaidens who cry aloud and lament the injustice and unrighteousness brought upon their brothers and sisters by the children of darkness, the sons of Cain (kenites), through their control and manipulation of the four hidden dynasties. See pamphlet #1848, & #1011 or #1012 to learn more about the four hidden dynasties. It is a sad, mournful state of affairs indeed, but the exceeding happiness and peace of mind comes by knowing and understanding God's plan, that the day of vengeance of our God is soon coming and justice shall be executed in all the earth. That day of vengeance is the return of Yeshua Messiah and the execution of His just recompense which shall bring comfort to all those who mourn.[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
We can read of that "comfort to all that mourn" in Isaiah 61 which prophecies of both the first and second advents of our Lord.
The first half of verse 2 speaks of Christ's first advent and is the point at which Christ stopped reading in Luke 4 when He stood up in the temple and read from the scroll of Isaiah. The reason He stopped reading was because the second half of verse 2 declares His second advent and the day of vengeance of our God, when all that mourn shall be comforted. God's elect know that day is soon coming and so they have that joy and peace of mind now, knowing that God is in complete control and that His Word shall come to pass exactly as it is written. Isaiah also declares the "blessings", the exceeding joy and happiness that the mourners have.Isaiah 61:2-3
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear also know that the two witnesses, the two olive trees, also lament and decry the injustice while giving witness and teaching the Words of His mouth in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
To be "clothed in sackcloth" is to be spiritually clothed in the garment of prophets, like Elijah, who called people to repentance as he lamented and preached against the intermarrying of the angelic sons of God with the daughters of Adam.Rev. 11:3
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The meek are those who are humble before God who allow the Word of God to guide them and lead them in judgment and in the paths of righteousness, i.e. to do that which is right.Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
They know they shall inherit the earth and even rule as kings and priests with the Prince of Peace, the King of kings, whose ways alone bring in the abundance of peace! Rev. 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."Psalm 25:9
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
Are you beginning to see how it is that God's servants are exceedingly happy even now? All these things are written and they shall come to pass exactly as they are written... and that is comforting indeed!Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Only the Word of God can give life and quench that hunger and thirst.
John 6:35And 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.
God's elect are the most merciful and compassionate people on earth because they have Jesus Christ, the Word of God, in them and are thus filled with His Spirit. They know our Father's plan of salvation and the love and compassion and forgiveness He has for those who are deceived and "know not what they do". Therefore God's elect can be merciful to others even in the face of death, as was Stephen whose name fittingly means a "crown of royalty".[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
What an example of compassion and forgiveness.Acts 7:59-60
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.[60] And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
To be "pure in heart" is to have a pure mind, one which has been cleansed with the purity of His Word. Only they shall have the "eyes to see" God.[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
This is not a statement declaring that God's servants are pacifists as is so often inferred by the unknowledgeable who think that if you will just be sugar-sweet and nice to the enemy he will be nice to you! Get real! The history of our nation alone is proof positive that peace is costly, that it comes with a price which is often the lives of our sons and daughters and brothers and sisters who are willing to take a stand against the onslaught of the enemy and defend our peace and liberties.[9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
You "see", true and lasting peace can only be achieved by following God's ways, the ways of the Prince of Peace, which produce freedom and peace and happiness. To that end, God's servants are not only willing to put on the whole gospel armor of God (Eph. 6) and take a stand against the fiery darts of the enemy, but they boldly teach His truth as it is written without fear of the enemy or what man might do or say. And haven't you read how the Prince of Peace, the King of kings and His saints, usher in the kingdom of God whereby peace shall abound upon the earth?
So you see, if you are a peacemaker who teaches the truth of His Word, the way to freedom and peace and happiness, you will find yourself engaged in a great spiritual battle and therefore you can expect to be persecuted by those who seek to make captive our people and make merchandise out of them. Christ told us flat out that if we serve Him we can expect persecution: John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."Rev. 19:14
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
God's elect are blessed indeed and exceedingly happy in knowing that we have the victory in Him and the kingdom of heaven is ours. Yes, when we do and teach His truth we fully expect to be persecuted but we are not afraid of man and his ways of terror and intimidation. You "see", Christ has given us "power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt us [you] (Luke 10:19)." So... happy we are that our names are written in the Book of Life (Luke 10:20)![10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Not only are God's elect persecuted for doing that which is right, but they are also reviled and persecuted and falsely accused of doing things and saying things which they have not done or said, just because they are Christians.1 Peter 3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
No problem, His elect can handle it and in doing so give glory to God at the same time!Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Happy ye are, so rejoice and be blessed (exceeding glad)!1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
Who was it that persecuted and even killed the prophets? It was the children of darkness who shall receive "woes" instead of His "blessings". Here is what Christ said to the kenites in Matthew 23:31 "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets."Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Why is it that the servants of God are so persecuted and reviled? It because they are "salty" when they teach and they do not withhold the truth of God's Word. Just like Jesus Christ, they tell it like it is concerning those who persecuted the prophets and they do so boldly and without fear of what men might do to them. You "see", they would rather please their heavenly Father by keeping His commands and doing His will, rather than please men just to avoid rejection or reviling or persecution.
Salt which has been left to the "elements" and has become bland and tasteless, i.e. has lost its saltiness, is good for nothing except to be walked all over like so many sugar-sweet Christians are today! So the question is: "Of what value is a people-pleasing Christian who will not teach God's Word boldly as it is written?" Do not sugarcoat God's Word as do the workers of iniquity! Sprinkle the salt my friend and preserve the spiritual "meat" of His Word.[13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
It is growing darker and darker outside as the smoke from the pit (Rev. 9:2) continues to darken the spiritual atmosphere in these last days! The only light that remains is the truth of God's Word which is carried forth by His servants through the final hour of darkness. Are you part of that Light?[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
If you are, then Jesus Christ gives you the following instruction:
Let your light, that Light of Truth which is in you, "radiate brilliancy" (Strong's #2989) before men that they may see your good works. What are those "good works"? Are people supposed to see what a goody, goody two-shoes you have become? No... the good works are the "wonderful works of God" that the sons and daughters (Acts 2:16-18) shall carry out in the final generation according to that which is written. You "see", when our brother's and sister's and loved one's eyes are open to His truth and they learn the rich heritage of His people (true Israel - Do you know where true Israel is to be found? Open pamphlets #1020 and #1064 to find out! ) and they "see" that His Word has come to pass exactly as it is written, then they shall also become filled with unspeakable joy and glorify your Father which is in heaven. What an humbling honor and a joyous privilege it is to be part of that marvelous work![16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus Christ declared the good works that the sons and daughters (seed) would do in this final generation, even while He was yet hanging on the cross still teaching the entirety 22nd Psalm:
God shall pour out His Spirit upon His servants and handmaidens and they shall prophesy, which is to teach with all the qualities of love and humility before God as set forth in the Beatitudes we learned today. In other words, God shall use them to bring forth the light of His truth and the latter day rain from heaven in that "through their mouths", being filled with His Spirit, they shall teach the Word of God and declare His righteousness, not their own. You see, it is His marvelous works they do, not their own, and they give glory to God for those marvelous works He does.Psalm 22:30-31
A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.[31] They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Here are the overcomers singing the Song of Moses at the victory celebration over the beast:
The Song of Moses is the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy which outlines the Plan of God, His wonderful and marvelous works in the final generation of the fig tree when the final proclamation of the name (the authority of) the LORD goes forth.Rev. 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Question: What more "exceeding happiness" could one possibly have than to be a child of the living God and serve Him in these last days?Deut. 32:3-4
Because I will publish [proclaim] the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.[4] He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.
Answer: None! So thank you Father!
... to be continued.
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