The
American
Wisdom Series
Presents
pamphlet #2612
Hebrews chapter 12
Do
you desire to be part of that valiant family of God's servants Paul spoke
of in Hebrews chapter 11?
Are you sure... after seeing all
the temptations and trials and tribulations they endured?
One could easily say that many of
them went through some pretty "rough times"!
Yet it was through their faith in
Him that they "took a stand" and overcame great obstacles and seemingly
insurmountable odds and emerged as victorious champions of our people who
had "quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out
of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight
the armies of the aliens".
It was also by their faith in Him
and in looking forward to the "recompense of the reward", the fulfillment
of His promises, and to that glorious city which has foundations whose
builder and maker is God, that they "endured" many things among some of
which were cruel mockings and scourgings and being sawn asunder. They were
also tempted, some were "slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins
and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, and tormented." (Hebrews 11:34-37)
These were truly men and women of
faith whose courage came not from their own strength, but from their trust
in God, from their belief and faith that He "is" (Heb. 11:6) and that He
is always faithful to His promises because His Word is the most sure thing
in the universe.
So
if you do wish to gather with that "great cloud (assembly) of witnesses"
when Yeshua Messiah returns to this earth at the sound of the 7th Trump
(1 Thes. 4:17) and ushers in His Kingdom, then take heed to the words of
wisdom our Father has given us in this 12th chapter of Hebrews through
His faithful servant Paul.
Hebrews
12:1
Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,
Just before he gave us that
inspiring "faith" chapter packed with excerpts from the many testimonials
of God's faithful servants down through the ages, Paul was discussing "patient
endurance" and how that God's servants, men and women of faith, do NOT
draw back from the Word of God and follow the "easier softer
way" to avoid taking a stand!
No, they "hold fast" to His Word
and do those things which He commands them to do, regardless of the obstacles
or adversaries which stand in their way.
You "see", one man and God form
a majority and so His servants know they already have the victory in Christ
and that a crown awaits them at His return!
Let us therefore go back and briefly review where Paul
left off at the end of chapter 10 before he paused to give us all those
"ensamples" of faith in chapter 11.
Remember that he was teaching us
that we
need to have patience which is the endurance to go
the distance.
This will help us place Heb. 12:1 in the proper context
from which it flows.
Hebrews
10:36-39
For ye have
need
of patience, that, after ye have
done the will
of God, ye might receive the promise.
patience = hupomone, hoop-om-on-ay',
Greek 5281; from Greek 5278 (hupomeno); cheerful (or hopeful) endurance,
constancy
:- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Hupomone comes from the word
hupomeno
which defies the entire concept of the any-moment-you'll-fly-away rapture
"theory" which teaches people to make sure they are not "Left Behind".
Of
course Satan just loves that bogus concept because since he (and
his angels) will be the first supernatural entities to come from heaven
to this earth (Rev. 12:7-9), the rapture
theory prepares people to accept him as Jesus Christ, though he will be
the false messiah.
Thus, those who are awaiting an any-moment "rapture" shall be the first
ones taken in the field and seduced by Satan, the same old serpent from
the garden! Here is the definition of "endurance":
endurance = hupomeno, hoop-om-en'-o,
Greek 5278; from Greek 5259 (hupo) and Greek 3306 (meno); to stay under
(behind), i.e. remain; figurative to undergo, i.e.
bear
(trials), have fortitude, persevere :- abide, endure, (take)
patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.
We as Christians have a
choice (thank God) to
believe men's fables and traditions or to have faith and believe in Jesus
Christ, the Word of God.
Now Paul just told us that we are
going to "need" patience to do God's will in this final generation
and that after we have done so, i.e. after we have finished
the work, we will receive the promise!
Do you believe him?
How about Jesus Christ?Would you believe Him if He told
you that you must "stay behind" (be "Left
Behind" while the first woman in the field is taken and spiritually seduced),
in that you must "have fortitude" and "persevere" and "patiently suffer"
TO THE
END, i.e. until Christ returns at the sound of the last (7th) trump,
which is AFTER the son of perdition has come at the sound of the 6th trump
and reigned on this earth as "instead-of-Jesus" (see 2 Thes. 2:1-12)?
Here are Christ's words to those of this final generation
of the fig tree:
Matthew
24:13
But he
that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
Luke 21:19
In your patience
possess ye your souls.
Mark 13:13
And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he
that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
The Greek word for both "endure" and "patience" in
the above verses is "hupomeno".
And if you take the time to read the verses surrounding
those listed above, you will discover it is very much like reading Hebrews
11:34-37!
Mark
13:9
But take heed
to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues
ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for
my sake, for a testimony against them.
Hebrews 11:36
And others had
trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds
and imprisonment
Then too, some of you Smyrphs,
those of the churches of Smyrna (Rev. 2:9) and Philadelphia Rev.
3:9) who know who the kenites are,
:should also
compare Rev. 2:10.
The question is: "Are you in the
"race" (Heb. 12:1) to go the distance and go for the 'gold', the gold
crown that is?"
If so, just know that it is going
to take "faith and endurance" to the end but the reward of recompense
far exceeds anything material in this world!
Therefore, knowing that He is faithful
and shall never leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5) but rather shall be with
you unto the end (Mat. 28:20), there is NOTHING and NO ONE to fear.
Besides, you've read all the testimonies of the patriarchs
and elders to confirm that fact, have you not?
The sands of time run out of
the final "hour" glass for this flesh age
during the generation of the fig
tree which began on May 15, 1948.
Live Link to- The Fig Tree Generation
Rev.
2:10
Fear none
of those things which thou
shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison,
that ye may be tried;
and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and
I
will give thee a crown of life.
So pay no attention to those
Biblically challenged preachers who tell you that you are not going to
have to go through (endure) the great tribulation of Satan when he comes
to this earth claiming to be Jesus. (Remember, the great tribulation of Satan will not be physical because he will want you to believe he is God!)
Trust the Word of God which tells
you that you shall "overcome the beast" (Rev. 12:11) if you have faith
but that you are going to have to "patiently endure" unto the end!
Then "take heed", and prepare yourself by putting on
the gospel armor and get ready to take a stand! (Ephes.
6:11"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil."
I repeat: (Remember, the great tribulation of Satan will not be physical because he will want you to believe he is God!)
Let's continue with the last few verses of Heb. 10.
Hebrews
10:37
For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
The sands of time run out of the final "hour" glass
for this flesh age during the generation of the fig tree which began on
May 15, 1948.
[See Fig
Tree]
[38]
Now
the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, (i.e. Believe Satan's lies!) my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Remember
that to "live" is to receive eternal life.
Those
who "draw back" (from the truth of God's Word), who therefore do not trust
and believe in God, i.e. those who do not have faith in Him because they
have no foundation upon which to stand (i.e. are Biblically
illiterate), better take heed lest they join Satan's group headed for perdition,
which is the lake of fire wherein the second death, the death of the soul,
takes place (Rev. 21:8).
God's elect simply do not "draw
back" from His Word because they have faith!
They face the adversary head on because they are defenders
of God's truth and declare His righteousness!
[39]
But
we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The first one who "drew back"
from the Word of God, in the first earth age (Satan), is now called the "son of perdition".
That
first "drawing back" happened in the first earth age (Live Link to>The age of the dinosaurs) and I think you know
who he is, so make sure you don't follow his ways of liberalism by "drawing
back" in this earth age. The big problem was however, just
as it is today, that not only did he himself "draw back" from the Word
of God but he then "drew" a third of God's children away (approximately 6 billion of us, God's children) from the mercy
seat of truth and justice (Rev. 12:4).
Again, there is nothing new under
the sun and today in this generation, just as he did in the "world that
then was", Satan uses economics and merchandising and influence peddling
to corrupt justice and pervert wisdom and education while at the same time
promising and convincing many of God's Biblically illiterate children that
life will be just grand in his Great Society, his New World Order!
So don't be one who "draws back"
unto perdition, unto Satan and his ways.
Be a man or woman of God and put
on the gospel armor and be ready to take a stand!
Have faith and exercise patient
endurance and stick around unto the end.
You see, there is some major dragon
kicking and stomping that has yet to be done and God's elect are privileged
to be a part of bringing Babylon the great to its knees before the King
of kings and Lord of lords.
Now let's go back and repeat Heb. 12:1.
Hebrews
12:1
Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us,
In other words, if you are
one of God's elect, one who does not draw back, you have a purpose and
a destiny to fulfill in the Plan of God, so it is time to "lighten the
boat" and to "get out of self (use His blood)" and be about your Father's
business!
You "see", there is a "race" (contest,
conflict, fight)
set before us, a "course to run" and we
need to get in shape... starting
NOW!
Let's break some of the words in this verse back to the
Greek fountain.
Note: Some may think we are getting
a little too scholarly here with all these Greek references, but then such
(i.e. scholarly) is the nature of the Book of Hebrews, is it not? Remember,
it was written to those who can handle the "meat" of His Word instead of
just the "milk" of salvation and baptism (Heb. 5:11-14)! Therefore, the
deeper truth contained herein it is written specifically to the spiritually
"rich" which would bring the mind of the wise to note Rev. 2:9 again!
Run = trecho,
trekh'-o, Greek 5143; apparently a primary verb (properly threcho; compare
Greek 2359 (thrix)); which uses dremo, drem'-o (the base of Greek 1408
(dromos)) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk
hastily (literal or figurative) :- have course, run.
The word "dromos" is translated "course".
Course = dromos,
drom'-os, Greek 1408; from the alternate of Greek 5143 (trecho); a race,
i.e. (figurative) career :- course.
The word "race" means more than just
a friendly footrace to the finish line:
Race = agon,
ag-one', Greek 73; from Greek 71 (ago); properly a place of assembly (as
if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figurative
an effort or anxiety :- conflict, contention,
fight,
race.
It is from "agon" (translated
"race" above) that we get the word "fight" and "fought" which Paul uses
in 2 Tim. 4:5-8 below.
Fought, fight
= agonizomai, ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee, Greek 75; from Greek 73 (agon); to
struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to
contend with an adversary), or genitive (to endeavor to accomplish
something) :- fight, labor fervently, strive.
Obviously, we get the word "agonize", meaning to
struggle,
from the Greek word "agonizomai". Now before we move on in Hebrews
let us consider the words of a great contender and fighter
and reflect on some of the "enduring" he went through, like being
shipwrecked, stoned, scorned, imprisoned, etc., etc. That's right, it is
our teacher and elder brother the apostle Paul!
Here is his admonition to those who do not "draw back":
2 Tim.
4:5-8
But watch
thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
"Full proof" = plerophoreo, play-rof-or-eh'-o,
Greek 4135; from Greek 4134 (pleres) and Greek 5409 (phoreo); to carry
out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince),
entirely
accomplish :- most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make
full proof of.
Paul tells us to be sober-minded in all things, hang
in there, and finish the work, which is to fulfill your destiny! So "let
us run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1)"! Paul
did!
[6]
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
[7] I have fought
a good fight (agonizomai), I have finished my course
(dromos), I have kept the faith:
There was no doubt in Paul's mind that a "crown of
righteousness" awaits him when the Lord, the righteous judge, appears at
that day when the 7th Trump sounds.
And not him only, but to all them also that love his appearing!
That would be you, if you love
and serve Him.
[8]
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and
not
to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Learn to recognize when you
are being chastised and then "Kiss the paddle" and say "Thank you Father"
because you know in your heart He did it for your own good.
Stop and think; How
many of those seemingly bad things that happen to you in your life,
here on earth, during this earth age in this animal body, are God's
CHASTISEMENT? For your own good!
There was no doubt in Paul's mind that a "crown of righteousness"
awaits him when the Lord, the righteous judge, appears at that day
when the 7th Trump sounds.
And not him only, but to all them
also that love his appearing!
That would be you, if you love and
serve Him.
[8]
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and
not
to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Well, we have all those inspiring
testimonials and "ensamples" which give us strength and increase our faith,
but there is yet One to consider who "endured" above them all and that
One is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
Hebrews
12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne
of God.
The word "look" means to look away from to something
else, i.e. to consider attentively or as we would say today, "focus on"!
The old adage that leadership is best exemplified by example
certainly is true when it comes to Jesus Christ, who is the "captain of
our salvation"!
He showed us "the way" and we are
"finished", "made perfect", i.e. are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).
"Focus on" what He went through
for us in enduring the cross and being scorned and humiliated.
He overcame the world (Jn. 16:33) and overcame
Satan (Heb. 2:14) and is now "set down at the right hand of the throne
of God".
John
16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world.
When tribulation (which ye
shall have) comes your way, be it either adversity or perhaps even
chastisement from your heavenly Father,
and all you do is moan and whine
about it, you do show a lack of faith, which is unbelief.
So don't let your brothers and sisters,
especially those who are weak in faith or have not eyes to see, "see you
sweat on your first cruise"!
It gives them no encouragement or
incentive to see
your unbelief, does it?
You "see", through faith in Him
you can "have peace", i.e. peace of mind, entering into His rest (sabbath)
at any time, any day, any hour, any moment!
And how would you like to sit with
Him in His throne?
You can!
He said so!
Just follow His example and through
faith firmly founded upon the Rock, i.e. in His Word, you will be a champion
of your people, an overcomer of the world and the wicked one, even as He
overcame!
And
there shall be a crown of righteousness laid up in store for you too!
Rev.
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
And you shall rule and reign
with Christ a thousand years.
Rev.
20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on
such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of
God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
So whenever you think things are going a little too
tough on you, just remember Christ our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7) and what He
went through!
Hebrews
12:3 For consider him that endured [hupomeno] such contradiction
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint
in your minds.
Compare your trials and tribulations
to the shedding of His blood and the suffering of the cross and then stand
up and get back in the race!
[4]
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Jesus Christ paid the ultimate
price and gave His life to pay for our sins and defeat death!
Overcoming the world and the temptation
to "draw back" (apostatize) isn't quite like being scourged and beaten
and then crucified on the cross, is it?
That should be point enough to help
us put our problems into their proper perspective, but there is yet another
point that Paul would have us not be ignorant of... and that is that we
should not overlook the fact that our heavenly Father sometimes chastises
us when we veer off the track!
[5]
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,
My son,
despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,
nor
faint when thou art rebuked of him:
You see, not everything
that "comes your way" is the adversary trying to punch your lights out!
Sometimes we do a fine job all on
our own of messing things up.
Nevertheless, when we earn the just
recompense of a good spanking, our Father disciplines us to get our attention
and turn us from the error of our ways.
However, the VERY FACT that we are
being disciplined is actually proof positive that God loves us and we are
His precious children!
Only a parent who does not care
if his child grows up wild and unruly, undisciplined, would withhold the
rod of correction (i.e. chastisement) from his child.
So learn to recognize when you
are being chastised and then "Kiss the paddle" and say "Thank you Father"
because you know in your heart He did it for your own good.
In other words, chastisement
is your confirmation that you are His son or daughter.
[6]
For
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Of course Paul, after the manner of his teaching
is, just quoted from the scriptures once again.
This time he quoted from the great Book of Proverbs.
Proverbs
3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening
of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Look up the word "weary" in your Hebrew dictionary
or Strong's Concordance.
In street English it means don't get all "bent out of
shape", i.e. distressed and anxious, when you receive chastisement.
Take your "thumpin" like a man and
get back in the race!
[12]
For
whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth.
You "see", true love requires
discipline which often falls under the heading "tough love" because it
can be a lot tougher on the one exacting the discipline then it is on the
one receiving the correction.
In other words, there is no joyful feeling in disciplining
a child except in knowing in your heart that in the long run he or she
will benefit from the love you give them in the correction.
In fact, if you truly understand
this, you will more fully understand the love our Father displays in creating
this flesh age for all of us to pass through and die once (Hebrews 9:27). (THE SHADOW DEATH) see Live Link to-Psalms 23 So can you "endure" a little chastening
from your heavenly Father without whining and moaning and complaining?
Because if He chastens you, it is
because He loves you!
Hebrews
12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth
with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
A father or mother who does not discipline his or
her child, does NOT love that child!
Therefore that child is without a loving parent!
[8]
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are
ye bastards, and not sons.
All God's children occasionally receive correction
from Him and you know what?
When His children know they have
been chastened, that just makes them love and respect Him all the more,
just as it did when our earthly fathers and mothers corrected us!
Of course, one should never chasten a child in anger or
rage!
[9]
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we
gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live?
Children may blurt out "I hate
you" when they receive correction or do not get their own way, but wise
parents know their children will later love and respect them for caring
about them enough to chastise them (that later is sometimes 10 or 15 minutes).
"Wise" children of God also love
their heavenly Father when He corrects them because they know that He cares
for them and loves them.
[10]
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but
he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Our heavenly Father teaches
us and chastises us that we might mature and become just like Him, i.e.
be partakers of His holiness! Yes, like Father, like son!
So why would you think that your
heavenly Father would not chastise you?
[11]
Now
no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which
are exercised thereby.
Chastening produces the "peaceable fruit of righteousness"!
Did you know that?
In fact, without chastening, without discipline, there
often can be no growth which is expressed by the proverbial saying, "No
pain, no gain".
Again, it isn't pleasant for either
the chastener or the chastenee but the reward which comes from being steered
back on the path of righteousness is well worth it... to BOTH parties!
Do you have a purpose and a destiny?
If so, Paul has given you instruction to cast aside those
things that burden you and weigh you down and "run the race (do Father's
will) which is set before us."
In so doing, learn to be disciplined
IN the Word of God and walk in His ways while at the same time learning
to be disciplined (be chastised) BY the
Word of God.
Therefore, keep your eyes "looking up", focused on Jesus
Christ, and stand up and "run the race set before us" with patient endurance.
In other words, God's elect must
first stand up tall and be strong in His Word and disciplined
in His ways so as to be able to serve Him by helping to "strengthen"
others!
That is what running the race, which is doing God's will,
is all about.
Hebrews
12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the
feeble knees;
How can one defend himself if he is weak and his
"hands hang down"?
How can one run the race if his knees are feeble?
The point is that the great spiritual
battle of these last days requires the strengthening of one's mind which
can only come from the proper spiritual nourishment obtained by "eating"
and "absorbing" the Word of God.
It is the duty of the watchman, of whom EZEK-I-EL (whose
name means "God is my Strength" or "Whom God Strengthens") was the forerunner,
the type given for our "ensample", to first "eat
the roll written within and without", i.e. the entire Word of God,and
then bring forth and teach that Word which both lifts up
and strengthens to his brothers and sisters (see Ezek. 2:9-3:4).
[13]
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned
out of the way; but let it [him] rather be healed.
It is Jesus Christ, the Word of
God, who does the spiritual "healing" of the blind and the lame and raises
up the spiritually dead, even those "dry bones" of Ezek. 37 & Matthew
11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed,
and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel
preached to them.
Side thought on Matthew 11:5
Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and
said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and
see:
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive
their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor
have the gospel preached to them.
Editors Note: I read verse 5 several times.
Did I miss the part about the poor recieving welfare
checks stolen from others in the form of Federal taxes?
Let's continue our study "Do
you have a purpose and a destiny?" Sorry for
the interuption! I couldn't resist.
So stay on course by being disciplined
and following the truth of God's Word and do not stray to
the right nor to the left to follow after the paths of man's traditions
which will lead you down the wrong road and worse yet, cause others to
follow.
Do as Paul just said, quoting from the scriptures, and
"Make straight paths for your feet" so that others who follow you do not
stumble,
are not tripped up, and are not lead astray by the path
you follow!
We find these same "words to the wise" in the book of
Proverbs.
Proverbs
4:26 Ponder [prepare] the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways
be established.
To
be "established" is to be firmly rooted in the Word of God so that you
cannot be shaken by the wind.
It is to have that solid foundation (the substance of
faith) under you whereby you stand unmovable upon the Rock!
There is a great shaking coming and all that is not firmly
established in truth and justice shall be destroyed.
[27]
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Most people when they talk
about "walking the straight and narrow path" think it means that you must
be a "goody, goody two shoes"
and never sin in the flesh, which
to their carnal (flesh oriented) minds means if you smoke a cigarette or
drink an adult beverage, etc., you have strayed the path.
However, the path we are discussing
are His "ways" of Truth and Justice which flow from the mercy seat,
from the Word of God.
You see, there was once a "morning star" whose name was
Lucifer (which means "morning star") who walked the straight and narrow
path in adhering to and protecting the mercy seat.
In fact, he was appointed by God to do just that, to cover
(protect) truth and justice as an anointed cherub.
We can read about him (Satan) in Ezek. 28:
Ezekiel
28:14-16 Thou art the
anointed cherub that covereth; and
I
have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou
hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
[15] Thou wast
perfect
in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity
was found in thee.
Live Link to- All of Ezekiel 28
However,
the big problem was that he "drew a third of the stars (Rev. 12:4)", God's
children, away from the mercy seat to follow after his crooked paths!
[16]
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee
with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast
thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee,
O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
The word "sinned" used in this verse is the Hebrew
word "chata", Strong's #2398, which in the causative sense means
to "lead astray".
It was because of his "chata" that Satan was judged and
sentenced to perish, to be destroyed as the above verse documents.
The point is, make straight the
paths of your feet and don't wander away from
the truth of God's Word and thereby cause
others to follow the wrong path which are the "ways" patterned after the
vain traditions of men.
Our Father doesn't like it, which
is an understatement for sure! Perhaps you are "wise" enough to see what
has happened to our nation's judicial, educational, economic, and religion systems, (the New World Order) "The Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse"
Revelation 6:1-8 (The First Beast of Revelation)
which has become so "liberalized" with the "leaven of the scribes
and Pharisees" as to now be filled with corruption, dilution, oppression,
and perversity.
See pamphlet #1012
Thank God it won't be this way
much longer, because after the "chastisement" brought about by the king
of Babylon (Satan, the false-christ), our people who now choose to remain
ignorant of their Father's Word and thus learn the "hard way", will have
their eyes and ears opened and desire to return to His ways and walk in
His paths.
Isaiah
2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach
us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths:
for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Until Jesus Christ returns at the sound of the 7th
Trump, and walk in His ways shall be among the firstfruits at His coming.
So let us be about our Father's business and run the race
and declare His righteousness (Ps. 22:31) by strengthening the hands that
hang down and the feeble knees that others may join in the race and take
part in the joy of healing and being healed.
Let us now review Heb. 12:12-13 through the words of Isaiah
the prophet:
Isaiah
35:3-10 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Weakness comes from a lack of faith which comes from
a lack of knowing His Word which leaves a person without substance, without
a foundation (Rock) upon which to stand.
You must have faith to please your Father!
Remember Hebrews 11:6 "But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek Him."
[4]
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear
not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with
a recompence; He will come and save you.
Some will receive the wrath of His vengeance as their
recompense on "payday" and some will receive great rewards as theirs.
The choice is up to each individual.
So remember how to instruct those who have a "fearful
heart" to be strong!
Teach them to study God's Word,
rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15) whereby they can receive
their daily bread and be strengthened and nourished and healed of their
blindness and deafness!
[5]
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall
be unstopped.
Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is the only One
who can open the eyes and the ears of the blind and the deaf!
[6]
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the
dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out,
and streams in the desert.
What a joy it is to know the truth of His Word and
be as free as a frolicking, leaping hart (deer)!
Yes, the wilderness, the desert,
the valley of those dry bones which are symbolic of the spiritually dead,
shall come alive and become a fruitful place when the living waters of
His truth and justice flow like mighty rivers from Mt. Zion.
[7]
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs
of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass
with reeds and rushes.
What a wonderful world
it will be.
The good news is though, you can
enter into His rest and lay by the still waters and eat the lush green
grass of His pasture even now,
even while still walking in this valley
of the shadow of death, i.e. this flesh age, while still in your animal body!
Note: Shadow of Death, the death of your flesh; Not the real death, that of your soul!
Follow Him, His Word, and walk
in His ways and He will lead you there! (Ps. 23)
Read about The Shadow Death (Live Link to- Psalm 23)
[8]
And
an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called
The
way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but
it shall be for those: the
wayfaring men, though fools,
shall
not err therein.
His "rod of iron" exacting discipline to the Word
of God, the straight path, shall see to it that those who would lead His
people astray (wayfaring men) are not permitted to do so.
"Fools" are those who are either
ignorant of God's Word or choose not to follow it.
The "Wise" are those who do know
their Father's Word and choose to walk in His ways.
[9]
No
lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall
go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed
shall walk there:
Spiritually speaking, no "lion" or "devourer" will
be permitted to walk there and lead others astray!
[10]
And
the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion
with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy
and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
As their kinsman redeemer, He paid the price (ransome)
for His children and they shall RETURN from whence they were lead astray,
and come to Zion, to the Mountain of God, with joy in
their hearts and He shall wipe away all their tears.
Rev. 7:17 "For the Lamb which is
in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them
unto living fountains of waters:
and God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes."
God's elect in this final generation
who love their brethren and serve Him, likewise feed His sheep (Jn. 21)
and
lead them to His lush green pastures to
graze upon His Word.
So make straight the paths of your feet and walk in His
ways, always!
Paul now gives us some more sound doctrine to absorb and
act upon.
Hebrews
12:14
Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Always follow after (pursue) peace, if it is possible, and
holiness, which means "purity", the same word which is used for "sanctification".
In
other words, strive to be peaceable will all men but do not
be a "people pleaser" but rather be a "purifier" (follow holiness) and
strive to say and do that which is right and just according to God's Word,
understanding all the while that not one of us is perfect and we all sin
and fall short. But you see, we know we have an High Priest who
sits at the right hand of God who is willing to intercede on our behalf
that we may be forgiven upon repentance. It is Jesus Christ, the Word of
God, that "sanctifies" us and makes us holy.
Knowing then the grace which He has bestowed upon us,
it is only fitting that we should pursue peace and do what is right when
dealing with all men. For example, we should not talk about, gossip about,
nor criticize our brothers and sisters... keeping in mind the saying "there
for but the grace of God go I"! This should apply to all walks of life
for the seeds of criticism, gossip, and division should not be permitted
to take root among the brethren!
[15]
Looking
diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
"Looking diligently" means to "oversee" or to "take the oversight
of". In other words, be positive and don't let "seeds" of bitterness, which
means "gall" or "poison", which is the "wormwood" of Satan, germinate (spring
up) in your mind. As a servant of God, you set the path straight according
to His ways so that there is none occasion to cause your brothers and sisters
to be defiled and turn away from the Lord God whereby they might stumble
and fall. This is a reference to Deut. 29:18.
Deut.
29:18
Lest there should
be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth
away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of
these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth
gall and wormwood;
To "beareth" means to "bring forth
fruit" which comes after germination. "Gall" (rosh) means the poison of
serpents and "wormwood" means "to curse", even with the accursed thing!
Wormwood is actually one of Satan's names (Rev. 8:11), therefore never
let the "cursed one" interject into your house his poisonous gossip and
false accusations and poisonous seeds of corrupt doctrine, etc. As
the saying goes, "git after it" and "nip those things in the bud" before
they have a chance to germinate and bear ugly fruit. Or better yet, stomp
on them with the flaming boots of the gospel armor!
Why is this so important? Paul explains...
Hebrews
12:16
Lest there be
any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat
sold
his birthright.
The Greek words translated "fornicator"
and "profane" in this verse pretty much tells the whole story in the context
of what Paul is discussing here. "Fornicator" is "pornos, por'-nos",
Strong's #4205, which means a male prostitute. You see, Esau sold the birthright
of his inheritance to which he was entitled seeing that he was the first
born. The promises God gave to Abraham and confirmed in Isaac belonged
to Esau... else he could not have sold it to Jacob, could he? The lamentable
part is that one cannot have much regard for his heritage nor desire the
promises of his inheritance if he is so willing to prostitute himself and
"sell out" both himself and his people for a mere bowl of
red pottage to feed the temporal flesh. Genesis 25:34 "Then Jacob gave
Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose
up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [disesteemed] his birthright."
The reason that
Paul brings up Esau's prostitution of his birthright is that many of our
brothers and sisters will also "sell out" their inheritance, their birthright
promises in Jesus Christ, to the false messiah when he comes to earth (Rev.
12:7-9). You "see", they have so little
regard for their Father's Word and the promises He has made to them that
many have not even read nor studied His testaments to see what it is they
can claim or what it is they must do to receive them. And you
know what? Just as Esau was "rejected" by God, so
shall those who prostitute themselves to the false messiah be rejected.
[17]
For
ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing,
he
was rejected: for he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully with tears.
Esau did not repent by turning to God
with prayer and humbleness to seek to restore His birthright which he so
casually disregarded, but rather weeped and mourned because he felt sorry
for himself in that he "lost" his birthright blessings. He was remorseful
for having suffered the penalty of his own doing, his own works, his own
iniquitous lack of faith. In fact, Esau did not accept responsibility at
all for disregarding and losing his birthright (the promises of God, i.e.
His Word) but rather blamed his brother for "taking" it away from him!
THEN, to top it all, he wanted his father to change and do something
about it, not himself.
The point is, take a lesson (take
heed) from what Paul is teaching us and begin to have regard and reverence
for your Father's Word by studying it and rightly dividing the word of
truth (2 Tim. 2:15)! For there shall yet
be a future rejection of the those Christians who ignore (and
therefore disesteem) their Father's Word, His promises, and "sell out"
their inheritance to the false messiah. In
other words, because they follow the wrong path which are the vain
(empty) ways of the traditions of men instead of walking in His ways according
to His will, having faith built on that foundation (Rock), they will also
prostitute themselves as spiritual whores and harlots! Then
they will come whining and moaning when it comes time to receive the blessings
because they believe they are deserving of the rewards though they disesteemed
His will. Here are the very words of Jesus Christ foretelling and forewarning
of that great rejection:
Matthew
7:21-23
Not every one
that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?
They listened to preachers who told
them that "being involved" in church and Sunday school and church activities
is what pleases God. But
after years and years of going to church they are still Biblically illiterate
and do not know the Word of God (Heb. 5). You
"see", if you do not know the "written" Word of God, though you claim to
be Christian and cry Lord, Lord, you really do not know Jesus Christ, the
"living" Word of God.
[23]
And
then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity.
He never knew
them because they never came to Him to draw near to Him... to get to know Him through His Word. They therefore
had little regard for their inheritance, the blessings and
promises of God, as did Esau. Knowing this, what should you do? James
4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...".
Do
not forsake hearing His voice, the
Word of God,the Bible,which
is how He speaks to us today.
Speaking of "drawing near"... consider
the contrast Paul now makes between the Old Covenant and New Covenant,
between coming to Mount Sinai and coming to Mount Zion, between the "law"
whose penalty (recompense) for trespassing is death and the
"grace" of our Lord whose reward is life, eternal life.
Hebrews
12:18
For ye are not
come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor
unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Let's get the picture in our minds
right from the "git go" and learn from the line that was drawn at the foot
of the mountain of Almighty God. If you cross the line and
break His laws... you die! Thank God for His Son who came and paid the
price on the cross!
[19]
And
the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard
intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
The people were forbidden to go up into holy the mountain
of God for it was not accessible to them. They trembled and feared before
the burning mountain and did not want to hear His thundering voice.
Well,
there is nothing new under the sun for today the people still do not want
to hear His voice, His words, else the Word of God, His voice, would be
known throughout the land.
So ok, God would grant their request and He would give
His laws and statutes to them through His servant Moses. They could then
choose to obey His commands and reap the blessings and rewards thereof
(Deut. 28:1-14) or turn away and choose not to hearken unto His voice and
reap the consequences thereof (Deut. 28:15-68). Of course, there was and
still is nothing at all wrong with the law itself. The problem lies with
the heart and mind of man who cannot keep the law.
[20]
(For
they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast
touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Exodus 19:13 reads concerning the mount:
"There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot
through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet
soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount." In other words, if a man
touched it he would be stoned to death or if a beast touched it, it would
be thrust through with a spear or javelin (dart). For sure, this must have
been an awesome sight for when God spoke "His voice" shook the earth! And
you know what? His voice shall yet shake this earth and the heavens as
well! And it shall happen in and unto this final generation (Rev. 16:18).
[21]
And
so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Now contrast the picture you have in your mind's eye of the
fearful sight at Mount Sinai and being under (subject to) the penalty of
the law, with the joy and reverence and peace of mind in coming to Mount
Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the saints
and the firstfruits are gathered together. You
see, Jesus Christ came and defeated death and therefore when we repent
we are set at liberty in Him and are no longer subject to the penalty of
death which accompanies the transgression of the law, which is sin (1 Jn.
3:4).
Hebrews
12:22
But ye are come
unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the
heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
[23] To
the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are
written
in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just
men made perfect,
Blessed and happy are the firstborn,
the firstfruits, for they shall inherit a double portion of the blessings
and will not have to stand before God, the Judge of ALL, at the great white
throne judgment at the end of the Millennium. Why? Because they will no
longer be mortal having already received the crown life eternal at His
coming and therefore are not subject to the second death, which is the
death of the soul! Rev. 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in
the first resurrection: on such
the second death hath no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
a thousand years."
To wit, all the names of the firstborn
are written in the Book of Life which is in heaven, not
in some church office. Rev. 21:27 "And
there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the
Lamb's book of life."
[24]
And
to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Paul has taught us well about the "shadows" of old, of earthly
high priests and sacrifices, and how that we are no longer subject to the
"shadows" and earthly types.
For we have an eternal High Priest after the order of Melchisedec who became
our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7), that perfect and unblemished sacrificial Lamb,
who entered once and for all time into the Holy of Holies with the "sprinkling
of His blood". He is therefore the one and only mediator between God and
man. By the way, if
He is not your mediator, you better start shaking and trembling!
1 Tim.
2:5
For there is
one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
The seriousness of all this, and what Paul has been leading
up to, is contained in the following verse in his instruction
to make sure you do not forsake hearing His voice, the Word of God, which
is how He speaks to us today (read the opening two verses of Hebrews).
Hebrews
1:1
God, who at
sundry
times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the
fathers by the prophets, [2]
Hath in
these last days spoken unto us by
His Son, whom He hath appointed heir
of all things,
by whom also he made the worlds;
You see, there is a time soon coming when God shall come forth and His
Voice shall once again shake the earth, and not only the earth but the
heavens (all that is spiritual) as well.
Hebrews
12:25
See that ye
refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused
him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn
away from Him that speaketh from heaven:
"Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of
the Lord thy God (Deut. 4:23)". Do not turn away and forsake
the Word of God for it is His voice, the voice of the Shepherd who speaks
from heaven. It is that same voice that was heard on Mount Sinai that did
shake the earth (even in the first earth age, Jer. 4:26).
[26]
Whose
voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised,
saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also
heaven.
Hey, He HAS PROMISED
to shake the earth one more time! Do you know
and believe His promises? They shall happen
exactly as they are written. They always
have and they always will. (Matthew
24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.")
[27]
And
this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those
things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things
which cannot be shaken may remain.
Jesus Christ, the Word of God,
is going to shake this old earth and that time, at the sound of the last
trump (#7) all that is temporal, such as our flesh bodies, and all that
is wicked as in all evil "rudiments" (translated "elements" in 2 Peter
3:10) shall be destroyed, even consumed by the fire of His wrath.
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 shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
The "shaking" is well recorded (it is written) in the minor
prophets:
Haggai
2:5
According to
the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my
spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
If you have faith in Jesus Christ,
then even though God shall pour out His wrath upon the ungodly, you have
absolutely NOTHING to fear and tremble about because He "is with you always,
even unto the ends of the earth"! Got it?
[6]
For
thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I
will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea,
and the dry land;
[7]
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and
I will fill this house with glory, saith
the LORD of hosts.
It is written that every knee shall bow to the name of Jesus
Christ and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our God.
Here is what that great shaking will shall sound like. See if it reminds
you of anything we have read in this study.
Rev.
16:18
And there were
voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake,
such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake,
and so great.
However, we are part of that house spoken of in Haggai 2:7,
that many membered body of Christ, the temple of the Lord, and it is those
saints, those just ones, the Zadok called God's elect, who shall stand
on Mount Zion (Rev. 14:1) and His kingdom shall be established forever
and ever! Daniel 7:18 "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom,
and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever."
Hebrews
12:28
Wherefore we
receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,
let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear:
If you have received the grace of God,
then you no longer have to fear and tremble, for He is your loving Father
and He is not angry with you. His
fire is warming to our hearts and minds, therefore, let us serve Him "acceptably",
in other words, do those things that are pleasing to Him by loving Him
and walking in His ways. But let those who are without, those who forsake
and disesteem His Word wherein the promise of their heritage lies, fear
and tremble before Him for as the Word of God declares, "Our God is a consuming
fire."
[29]
For our God is a consuming fire.
Paul quotes this from the Book of Deuteronomy so in conclusion
let us read the verse just prior to this which sums up what he has been
teaching us in the latter part of this 12th chapter of Hebrews.
Deut.
4:23-24
Take heed
unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD
your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven image, or the
likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
Do not allow any other "images" or
"idols" to be engraved (etched, sealed) in your mind where the law of God,
His Holy Word, is to be written (epigrapho).
[24]
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Many
of our brothers and sisters, though they claim to be Christians and they
cry Lord, Lord, Praise the Lord", are spiritually blind and spiritually
deaf.
Earlier Paul made reference to the
great shaking of the heavens and the earth that is yet to come at the end
of this flesh age, thereby establishing this final generation of the fig
tree, the generation that would see the fulfillment of all the things Christ
foretold us of in Mat. 24 and Mark 13, which includes those shakings, as
the time period concerning running "the race which is set before us". Yes,
the wonderful works of God in this final generation just before that great
and final shaking, shall be (and are being) accomplished and shall be finished
by that "seed" who would come forth in the last days (Ps. 22:31) and serve
Jesus Christ. That "seed" is the offspring, the sons and daughters spoken
of by the prophet Joel who Peter quoted on that first Pentecost Day following
the resurrection of our Lord in Acts chapter two, who would "see" the visions
of the prophets and prophesy (teach the words of the prophets) to the lost
sheep of the true house of Israel. Of course the sons and daughters of
the Father are naturally brothers and sisters to each other, right? And
so it is that it is the church of the brothers (sons) and sisters (daughters),
i.e. the church of Philadelphia (brotherly love) along with her sister
church of Smyrna (Rev. 3:7-13 & 2:8-11), those who love and serve God
"acceptably" by patiently enduring and declaring His righteousness (PS.
22:31), His Word to this generation, who shall come and finish the work.
Therefore, let us review the last few verses of chapter
12 to refresh our memories concerning the subject Paul was addressing,
which was indeed our serving God in the days just prior to "receiving a
kingdom which cannot be moved", the Kingdom of God.
Hebrews
12:27
And this word,
Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken,
as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may
remain.
That great shaking that shall remove
all that is temporal and wicked, followed by the ushering in of the Kingdom
of God, shall happen in and unto this final generation, and perhaps sooner
than many might think. A word to the wise! Therefore, what should we who
are waiting to receive that kingdom which cannot be moved, be about doing?
The answer is: We should be about doing our Father's business, serving
Him acceptably... according to His will, with reverence and godly fear!
[28]Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,
let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence
and godly fear:
God's elect, those with eyes to see and ears to hear, have
a purpose and a destiny, a duty to perform, for there is work to be done
and you know what? It involves our brothers and sisters, our family! So
let us have grace, even graciousness and gratitude giving thanks always
for the love and grace He has bestowed upon us, and let us be about doing
our Father's business acceptably (acceptable and pleasing to Him) with
reverence (love) and godly fear, knowing and understanding the magnitude
and importance of our labor in the field. We already know of the exceeding
reward and inheritance that awaits us and not only that... we have the
very "title-deed" to those promises in our possession. Consider how remarkable
that truly is!
[29]
For our God is a consuming fire.
That "consuming" fire, which is the same fire that warms
the hearts of his children and his ministers of fire (Heb. 1:7), is soon
coming to melt with the fervent heat of His Word, all the evil rudiments
and wicked works of this world (2 Pet. 3:10)!
With the timeframe of these last
days now having been established, let us complete our study of the great
Book of Hebrews, written as instruction to all Christians but also on a
deeper "scholarly" level to those who came from "across the river" (Eber)
to bring the strength of His Word to those whose hands hang down and whose
knees are feeble. If you do not understand that, do not worry about it.
Just keep studying our Father's Word and you will surely increase in grace
and knowledge and understanding. Many of you know that Paul taught on different
levels (for not all can handle the meat of God's Word as he explained in
Heb. 5:11-14) and for that reason we shall deem the first level of understanding
to be easily discernable and teach this 13th chapter on the deeper level
concerning "serving Him acceptably" in the work to be done in this final
generation.
Paul begins...
Hebrews
13:1
Let brotherly
love continue.
The subject Paul is going to discuss in detail in this chapter
is the 'endurance' of the work of the church of "brotherly love", which
is "philadelphia" in Greek. The word "continue" is "meno"
which means to endure, abide, to tarry, remain.
meno, men'-o, Greek
3306; a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
:- abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for),
× thine own.
You "see", this is what it is all about in running "the race
which is set before us", not for self gain nor for self glory but for the
love
of the brethren.
philadelphia, fil-ad-el-fee'-ah, Greek
5360; from Greek 5361 (philadelphos); fraternal affection :- brotherly
love (kindness), love of the brethren.
The sons and daughters who serve God acceptably in this final
generation know and "see" that many of our brothers and sisters, though
they claim to be Christians and they cry "Lord, Lord, Praise the Lord",
are spiritually blind and spiritually deaf and have become spiritually
weak and lame indeed for they have been "drawn away" after the traditions
of men and led down the wrong path which leads right into Satan's camp.
To
that end, always remember that we too were born in and were called out
of spiritual Babylon, the land of confusion, like as Zerubabbel. Therefore
since we were once lifted up ourselves and by His grace given eyes to see
and ears to hear, always keep in mind when dealing with our brothers and
sisters the saying "There for but the grace
of God go I."
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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