Luke 18:1 "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"

The word "faint" used in this verse ["egkakeo", in the Greek text] means; "don't lose heart, and be discouraged". The point to this parable: It is necessary to continue to pray on all occasions that the Lord would fulfill your prayer within the will of God. the answer of this parable lies within the prayer itself.

Luke 18:2 "Saying, "There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:"

This judge didn't respect God, and could care less about any man.

Luke 18:3 "And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, `Avenge me of mine adversary.' "

This judge was not a Christian man, and he didn't care what happened to this widow. Somebody had taken advantage of this widow and ripped her off, just like what is done today in many cases. So this widow went to this Judge to seek justice from him and protection from this adversary.

Luke 18:4 "And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, `Though I fear not God, nor regard man;"

The judge's first reaction was to tell her to go away, he just did not want to be bothered by her problems. This judge had no conscience about what God's reaction would be, or what any man would say.

Luke 18:5 "Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "

It is interesting that the word "weary" in the Greek text is "pester", the same as giving one a black eye. This widow woman was ready stay by her convictions unto the judge did something about it, even if it took some action on her part. This doesn't mean to be repetitive in your prayers like in a chant, but just don't give up. Spell it out, and tell the the Father your problems, and what you want done. Sure He knows your problems, and the answers, but He wants to hear your request from your prayers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Never give up, pray until you get the answer to your prayer. God doesn't like a quitter.

Luke 18:6 "And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge saith."

Jesus is asking you, "did you see what the unjust judge said?" This judge is unjust, for he doesn't have respect for God or man.

Luke 18:7 "And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?"

In time this unjust judge gave in for the sake of his peace of mind, and the response of this widow woman. Jesus is telling us that, God is fair and just, and He hears and knows all your problems that we bear. Don't you think that God would take care of His own children? Of course He will, and in due time our needs will be met.

Luke 18:8 "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

God will avenge his children "speedily" [# 5034] "tachos", in a brief quick time period." Jesus is telling you that sure our Heavenly Father will take care of our needs, but what Father is concerned with is that when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth at the seventh trump, will Jesus find faith in His elect at that time. Are people going to give in to Satan, or are they going to hang tough until His coming?

LIVE link to-   Endure til the end

Many Christians today aren't looking for the coming of Jesus Christ, but are waiting anxiously for their great escape, their rapture. Their faith is not in Christ, but their false doctrine. They have said the words that some preacher told them to say, now they are waiting for that day he said the rapture would take place, like something that automatically would take place. It is like putting air in their tires of their car, they took the cap off the valve stem, they hooked up the hose and pushed the button, and now they are waiting for the air to flow into the tire.

When Jesus Christ returns at the seventh trump, is he going to find you in Satan's bed, and given over to the false Christ, or is He going to find you with faith and fighting against the false messiah. That is what we learned in Luke 17, for we are to hold fast until the coming of the Lord, to prepare ourselves ahead of time, and be aware of those events that are bringing us right the very end. That time three and a half days after the two witnesses have been murdered by Satan the Antichrist, and they have ascended into heaven. That's when Christ actually returns!

Revelation 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever."

We are to do exactly as Jesus has laid out in Mark 13:9-11 or you will fall to Satan in his role as the Antichrist. Don't give up, keep the faith to the very end. You gain your faith as you study the Word of God to know His instructions. That faith comes by trusting in His Word and obeying the instruction that He has given you through His Word. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

Luke 18:9 "And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"

This parable is directed not to the disciples but to the Pharisees, and those that trusted only in their own righteousness, and despised those not as self-righteous as themselves. These are self-righteous hypocrites. These are those church members that like to judge others because they figure they are not as good they are. God is telling you that he hates self-righteous hypocrites. Their main problem is that they don't have forgiveness in their heart to forgive other, as Jesus teaches.

Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican."

This Pharisee is very religious, with all his fine robes, and gold jewelry hanging about him to symbolize his righteousness. The other man a simple publican, a tax collector that has probably skimmed from the top of his collections. A tax collecting person everyone has branded as a sinner. A public official is not all that popular even to this day, for every deed that they do and say is put to the test by everyone.

Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican."

This Pharisee is not talking to God, but muttering these words to himself. He actually doesn't care if God hears him of not, because he is one self centered person. As this self-righteous hypocrite prays, he probably is looking over at the tax gatherer, as he uses the world extortionists, and they he tells God that he is glad his is not like that publican. This is going on right in the temple, the church of the day.

Luke 18:12 "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.' "

Every one is suppose to give tithes, you can't fault him for that; but that is a requirement, and does not apply to your salvation for it is God's in the first place. The tithe is the Lord, and you are giving God's money back to him. That is the method God set up to keep the church going and take care of the poor and needy.

Luke 18:13 "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, `God be merciful to me a sinner.' "

I'm sure this Pharisee had his seat to the front of the temple, and this publican was standing way to the back of the temple. Notice the humility of this publican, for in his shame he couldn't even raise his eyes and look to heaven in his prayer. The publican knew he was a sinner and had sinned against God, but he cried out for mercy from God. "God be merciful to me a sinner." This is the prayer of a sinner, and it is how you approach God for His mercies to you. The publican regretted every sin that he had done, and he was remorseful for those sins.

Luke 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.' "

God loved the publican and forgave him of his sins. However, how do you forgive a self-righteous hypocrite who doesn't even pray to God, but prays to himself of how great he is? Think about this verse when you pray. He that exalteth himself before God, shall be brought down, abased; and he that humbleth himself before God, shall be exalted before God.

Luke 18:15 "And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them."

The disciples would not allow people to bring their infants to Jesus to be blessed. "The Master is busy, He doesn't have time for your babies." Get those kids out of here, they are distracting our program. If you are not careful in your church work, you can get a little to busy to take care of the kids, and their instructions. This is the most important time in those kids lives, and this is the time that proper instruction and direction should be planted in their minds. That is what a church ministry is all about, preparing their minds, to set those minds in the right direction for life.

Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:17 "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

These are very important Words from our Lord and Savior. When this seventeenth and eighteenth are explained to them, they can understand it. A child can understand when you tell him that two christs are coming, and the bad one is coming first. Don't go with the bad christ. When you tell a child the truth, his eyes are wide open, and he believes it. When that child loves and respects his parent, he will give blind obedience. This is the same way that Jesus expects you to listen, observe and follow. Most of us are infants in the Word, and very few of us understand all the Word completely. But when something is said over and over, God expects you to listen and obey.

Jesus told you directly how you receive the kingdom of God, you receive the kingdom just as a little child accepts the truth. You take the kingdom of God by faith, believing it is true because God said it was truth, and He wrote it in His Word. Your eyes better be wide open just as that child's or you will not enter into the kingdom of God. That Pharisee's eyes were closed and blind to everything but himself. Would you rather listen to this self-righteous Pharisee, then hear the truth from Jesus. To come into the kingdom of God, you must accept all the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught in such a way that even a child could understand. When they ask their questions, just give them the simple answers, and they will grasp it and retain that truth. You enter into the Kingdom of heaven, by listening to our teacher, Jesus, and doing what He tells you to do.

Luke 18:18 "And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

This rich ruler was not trying to trip Jesus up, he just wanted to know what he should do to have eternal life. Jesus was speaking of this eternal life, of this kingdom of God, and he wanted to be a part of it.

Luke 18:19 "And Jesus said unto him, "Why callest thou Me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."

Jesus told this man to call him, Emmanuel, meaning "God with us". So if Jesus, Emmanuel, is God with us, then He is good.

Luke 18:20 "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and they mother."

Jesus is now telling this rich ruler how to inherit the kingdom of God. Notice that these are the commandments that deal with man's interaction with other men and women. Notice also that Jesus left out that he should not covet his neighbors property. However in that "do not kill" is mentioned here, lets take a look at what Jesus actually said. Jesus is using the law with this rich ruler, and in a very short time Jesus will be crucified so that the law will be fulfilled in the death and resurrection of our Lord. All of the law can be sidestepped, except one of these laws: "thou shalt not kill".

The word "kill" in the Greek text is # 5406 in the Strong's Greek dictionary. "Phoneus; fon-yooce'; from 5408, a murder (always of criminal [or at least intentional] homicide); which 443 does not necessarily imply;" The prime, 5408 is; "Phonos, fon'-os; a murderer, always of criminal, planed and premeditated." This type of killing requires the murderer to plan the murder ahead of time, and wait on the moment that the life would be snuffed out. There is no forgiveness for someone like this in this earth age. I John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." A murderer cannot have salvation in his heart. Why? You have to wait to face the victim you murdered in heaven. That is where the real trial takes place for there will be no cover-ups, not lying, and facts that are hid. Then will come out if there is true repentance, for God knows the intent of your mind.

Today in most of our society it is being accepted to take the life of the unborn, because the Knites have redefined the term of the unborn child that is in the womb. Sure they can change the laws of man and their traditions, but not the laws of God. There are many young women that have follow the laws of the Kenites, and aborted their child in innocence; Not knowing the truth of what they were doing.

However it is important that you are aware that there is no salvation until you face the Father, The Judge and the one you murdered. There are no unsolved murders in heaven. There are no hidden facts in heaven, and there are no covered over intensions to God. This is the reason that capital punishment is demanded by God in His laws. Jesus Himself stated that He did not do away with this requirement of the law.

Editor's Comment: I must think this through!. Is the above ststement, which i have highlighted green, Is it Biblical or the author's opinion? 

Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

Mathew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

The entire Word of God stands until heaven and earth pass away, and that isn't until after the great white throne judgment. No that judgment will not come in this earth age of flesh man, bad courts, sharp attorneys, but in the courts of heaven. That is the only place where justice can be served, and the right to salvation can be given. The life sentence here on earth only extends that time until this true judgment will come. Now back to this rich man, and his desire to have salvation.

Luke 18:21 "And he said, "All these have I kept from my youth up."

Each of these commandments that Jesus named, this rich ruler stated that in his mind, he truly tried to keep. He did not break any of those laws.

Luke 18:22 "Now then Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me."

Now Jesus is going to spring the tenth commandment on him. Jesus knew the value of this man's wealth, and how he put it first in his life. This rich ruler had got a lot of his wealth by ill-gotten gains. Jesus knew that he had ripped off some people, maybe even the widow lady like in the first verses. He was very rich. there is no sin in having wealth by following God's ways, but there is when it goes against God's Word. If you covet some neighbor's property, and take it from him wrongly, that is a sin.

Luke 18:23 "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich."

He was deep in many people's pockets. Now was the time to get rid of that sin baggage, and lighten the load before you enter into the eternity. But this very rich man was not willing to give up any of his wealth, for any reason.

Luke 18:24 "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

Those with ill-gotten gains will find it almost impossible to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Once you die with those gains on your hands, that sin sticks with you. However God's blessings are wonderful, and they will give you a happy life.

Luke 18:25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

We know that there is no way that a camel can go through the eye of a needle, so put this in the reality of Jesus day. The cities of that day were walled cities, and beside the main gate was a very small gate called the needle gate. The main gate was always locked and secured at night with a guard standing guard. This small needle gate was small enough so that only one person, could enter at a time. If a camel came, it had to have the load removed and unsaddled, then go to its knees before the camel could come through the gate into the city. Then reload the camel on the other side the wall.

Jesus is using this to show how this rich man could come into the kingdom of God. This rich man had to unload his ill-gotten gains at the door, before entering into heaven. You just can't rip people off, and be in the kingdom of heaven. God just will not mess around with you.

Today many ministers try to tell their people that you have to dump all your money into his begging bag before you can enter into his kingdom. But that is not God's kingdom he is speaking of. If you are rich with God's blessings, your giving is no different than anyone else's. A tithe is a tithe, a tenth is a tenth. Be honest and humble before God and you will have His blessings.

Luke 18:26 "And they that heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"

Notice that at the time Jesus was talking here, he had not yet gone to the cross. Those that stood there and watched this rich man coming to Jesus, heard what Jesus had to say, and they asked Him, "Who then can be saved?"

Luke 18:27 "And He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." 

Jesus is telling you that when you have problems and things seem impossible to you, that is the time to call on the Lord for help. Though may not have a way out in your mind, God always has a way out for you. Just do your best and turn it over to Father.

Luke 18:28 "Then Peter said, "Lo, we have left all, and followed Thee."

Luke 18:29 "And He said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,"

Luke 18:30 "Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

When you are fully committed to the Lord and you have put God first in your life, you simply do not have to wait until you die to receive benefits for your commitment to God. This doesn't mean that you are to ignore your family and head off into a ministry, but that your commitment to God must be foremost in your mind. Those people that went forth in the ministry in that day, had to leave family and friends, and the communication with them, for the sake of the gospel. They did not have the modern means that we have today for their travels.

Luke 18:31 "Then He took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."

Jesus is addressing only the disciples in this verse, and letting them know that all of the prophesies of the Old Testament are about to take place. Remember the prophecy of Isaiah 53 where Jesus would be delivered up for His trial, and while the spit on him, hit Him, and made all kinds of fun of Him, He opened not His mouth to defend himself. Then as Jesus hung on the cross, He was still teaching from David's prophesy of Psalms 22. The entire Old Testament had prophesies concerning this time when Jesus would be delivered up, and made the blood sacrifice for one and all times. Jesus is reminding His disciples that the time has come to go to Jerusalem, and fulfill all those prophesies.

This should build our faith in Christ, when we see that those prophesies were written as much as two thousand years before the birth of Christ. In fact in Genesis 3:15 dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden. When we consider how the entire Scripture has been fulfilled right on schedule, those with eyes to see know that the events of our day are going to happen right on time also. All the prophesies concerning the end times are happening right before our eyes, and we can expect Satan's arrival with his fallen angels to be just as it was foretold by Jesus and written by John in the book of Revelation. Our heavenly Father is the same today, just as He was in the past, and will be forever. When God states something in His Word, you can count on it.

Luke 18:32 "For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:"

Jesus is telling his disciples the things that shall happen, just as it was written hundreds of years prior, from Isaiah 53.

Luke 18:33 "And they shall scorge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again."

The disciples should have caught on to what Jesus was telling them here, for He stated directly that He would be killed, and arise on the third day. It is also important to know what Jesus did while He was in the tomb, after His death. Jesus went to the place in paradise and preached the the lost souls there in captivity, and many of them accepted His preaching, and followed him into paradise. Jesus went to those souls that had died all the way back to the time of Noah; as recorded in I Peter 3:18 - 20.

I Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

I Peter 3:19 "By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison,"

I Peter 3:20 "Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

Jesus gave those souls the same opportunity that we have to repent of their sins, because of His blood shed on the cross. He paid the full price so that they could be free.

Luke 18:34 "And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken."

We know that each of the disciple knew the prophesies of the Old Testament concerning the coming and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, However when God elects to close the minds of people to fulfill His Word, Those truths will be hid for that specific time. This is written for our benefit, so that we can see how God uses his servants, these disciples, and the full understanding will not come into focus until the appointed time. This is done to fit into God's plan.

There are many times in our lives when the truths from the Word aren't understood, even when we spend the time to study deeply into a subject. However at a latter time, it will hit you and seem so simply, that you just don't understand why it was so hard in the first place. Scripture will happen exactly as it is written, whether we understand it or not. This is why we pray that God will open our minds to the truth, for only the Holy Spirit will make the understanding fresh and sealed in your mind.

Luke 18:35 "And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:"

Luke 18:36 "And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant."

As Jesus and the disciples are passing through Jericho, this blind man was sitting there with his begging bag. When all the people were talking and exciting about seeing Jesus; this blind man asked; "What is going on, why all the excitement?"

Luke 18:37 "And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by", was what this blind man was told, but look and see what he says as he calls out.

Luke 18:38 "And he cried, saying, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me."

This blind man gives Jesus full title, "YHVH's Savior, the Son of David, have mercy on me." This blind man knew that Jesus was the Messiah that was prophesied in Scripture. As he said this, it documented his faith in the Christ. Faith is what heals people, and makes things right. You don't play games with God.

Editor's Note: How did he know? except by the Holy Spirit!

Luke 18:39 "And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."

This group of people that got out in front of Jesus was trying to make things easy for Jesus. When this beggar was crying out, they wanted to hush him up; but that made him cry out all the more. Many churches like to do things their way, and they get slack in the following God's way. They set up their own set of dos and don'ts, that sometimes go against the Word of God. That is why we should stick to the Word of God, for the events of our day will happen exactly as it is written. Follow the instruction that is given in His Word, don't get out in front and try to change the direction that our Lord is heading.

Luke 18:40 "And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when he was come near, He asked him,"

Luke 18:41 "Saying, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" And he said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

When Jesus heard this man cry out, and He asked that his disciples bring this man to Him. When this blind man came near, Jesus asked what he wanted of Me. Of course the blind man said, "Lord that I may receive my sight." Of course Jesus knew that the blind man wanted; he wanted to see.

Luke 18:42 "And Jesus said unto him, "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

"Faith" is the same thing that saves you today. Your faith in Jesus Christ and the Word of God saves you. The Words that are written within the Word of God are true and sure, and proven down through the centuries. We can see that the events prophesied for Jesus day and prior came true, every detail, The fall of the nations of Israel and Judah, and the captivity of Judah in Babylon. Just as those prophesies came true, so also will the prophesies of the end times concerning the Babylon the great, the mother of harlots. You can count on it happening, and that is why we must seal in our minds the events of these end times. As you learn of the events of our day and prepare for them, it will strengthen your faith in God's Word to document that every word is true. As your faith strengthens, so does the bond between you and our heavenly Father. As you show your love for our heavenly Father, He will bless you in many ways.

Luke 18:43 "And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God."

As soon as Jesus commanded that His sight be given, immediately this blind man could see. Think of the excitement and joy in this man's life, as he gave thanks to God, and continued glorifying God. As the people watched this man jump and praise Jesus, of course they couldn't help but praise God also for the mercy that Jesus showed to this blind man. That is what we were put here on earth to do; to glorify God and give praise to Him. Revelation 4:11 "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

When God looks down on your life, is He taking pleasure as to what He observes in your life. God created your soul, and He is the Father or your soul, and every pleasure and blessing in your life is for our heavenly Father. He finds great pleasure in blessing and protecting you, and tending to your prayer requests; but have you taken the time to say, "Thank you Father, I love you Lord." That is what He wants to hear from you, and that is how you bless Him.

The spiritual side of this story of the blind man is that we are all spiritually blind, until God took the spiritual blinders off and opened the truth from His Word into our minds. Then we could have spiritual understanding as we pay attention to His Words, as they are written, and apply them to our lives. Then He will touch you to where you can see and understand, and this will change your entire life. You have a destiny and purpose in life, and God's Word will point out that way...

              

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