If there come any unto you and bring not THIS doctrine

I’d like to take a look at 2 John 1:10-11 because I’ve seen it used so many times by Christians as an excuse to dismiss, even disfellowship, other Christians. As soon as they can’t agree on a particular doctrine or its importance they decide it’s time to take out the garbage, so to speak, and they justify it by quoting John:

2Jo 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Then they proceed to cast the person out/aside based on the fact that they disagree with whatever “doctrine” is being discussed at the time. When, if we actually read more than just two verses – ripping them out of context completely- we can see exactly what “this” doctrine is, that we are to bring:

2Jn 1:1-13

1  The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2  For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12  Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13  The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

The doctrine of Christ and the commandment that they had heard FROM THE BEGINNING was:

Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

John speaks of these very things in his first epistle, as well:

1Jn 3:14-15 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1Jn 4:19-21  We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

God forbid any Christian speak of the love or the mercy of God, or even God as love, if they do not also acknowledge the justice, judgment and wrath of God and preach a God that is to be “feared”; to do so is to be seen as being “too lovey dovey” or to be accused of having “no fear of the Lord”.

The problem with this is that fear is the beginning of wisdom, not the end all, as perfect love casts out fear and TRUE JUDGMENT (that we told to EXECUTE) is to SHOW MERCY AND COMPASSION every man to his brother!!

Zec 7:9  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Let us acknowledge that it was the unmerciful servant (who refused to forgive, as he was forgiven) whom his lord called the "wicked servant" and whom his lord turned over to the tormentors UNTIL he paid all that he owed (to show others the same mercy and forgiveness that was shown to him).

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

All Blessings in Christ!

Christine

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together

When it comes to “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”, what does that mean?

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

So many, even a great many, Christians read this single verse of scripture and claim that the writer of this letter to the Hebrews is talking about the physical gathering together of believers in worship. They accuse those who do not participate in a structured worship service of being in violation of the scriptures and this verse in particular.

Unfortunately, this is what happens when you take one verse of scripture and use it as a “proof text” without reading the whole passage in order to understand its context. Though I am not one to jump up and down yelling and screaming “context, context, context”, let’s at least consider the subject and context of this passage. Is the writer even addressing a physical gathering together of believers in worship? Or is this author trying to tell us not to forsake the fact that we have all been “gathered together” by baptism through one spirit into one body, the body of Christ? Pointing out that it is this “gathering together” of all men into “one body” that some were forsaking?

Let us look at the whole passage and not just one verse. Let us go back not only to the beginning of this chapter but to Chapter 9 which contains another verse of scripture (Heb 9:27) that I believe is often misused and misquoted as a “proof text” by those who want to prove that judgment comes after physical death, rather than “in the earth”  (Pro 11:31), though the passage is not speaking about the deaths of all men, or each man individually, but the death of one man, Jesus Christ, of which it says “and after this the judgment”. And did Jesus not say: “now is the judgment of this world” (John 12:31)? But that is discussed in other blogs, so I will not dwell on that here.

If we look at this entire passage in Hebrews we can see that it is about the one sacrifice that was made for all through the body and blood of Jesus Christ, through which came the propitiation for sin and the reconciliation of the world. It is about “the law having a shadow of good things to come”. It is about the fact that “we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” and the fact that “by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified”. It is about taking away the first (covenant) in order to establish the second (covenant).  And didn’t Jesus say: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”?

How many times have we heard our Christian brothers and sisters, or even said ourselves, that while we are to love our neighbors as ourselves those “neighbors”, unless they are “believers”, are not a part of “the body of Christ”; that the body of Christ is made up of believers only; that all others are outside of “the body” and not a part of the “the church” of Jesus Christ; that only believers have been “gathered together” into this one body, the body of Christ, the church?

Certainly, especially today with all of our church buildings, when we think of “the church” we think of those “believers” who gather together in them; we think of those who identify themselves as “Christian”. In some cases we will even claim that not all Christians are “true Christians” and only “true Christians” are a part of “the body of Christ” or the “true Church”.  But if all men have been gathered together into “one body”, whether bond or free, Jew or Gentiles, male or female, then can there be but ONE BODY? The “one body” into which all men have been “gathered together”?

Let us look at what the scriptures have to say: 

God was in Christ reconciling THE WORLD unto himself, not imputing their (THE WORLD’S) trespasses unto them; (2Co 5:14-21)

Creating ONE NEW MAN (Eph 2:15)

Wherefore henceforth know we NO MAN after the flesh: (2Co 5:16)

For he is our peace, WHO HATH MADE BOTH (Jew and Gentile) ONE, having broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Eph 2:14)

Reconciling BOTH unto God IN ONE BODY by the cross (Eph 2:16)

There is ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT… ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, who is ABOVE ALL, and THROUGH ALL, and IN YOU ALL. (Eph 4:6)

The body IS ONE… whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free (1 Co 12:12-14)

Christ IS ALL AND IN ALL (Col 3:11)

That is only a small list of all of the verses that could be listed here. Paul was very clear that it was “when we were dead in sins” that God “quickened us together with Christ”, for it is “by grace” that we are saved:

Eph 2:4-9   But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved);  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Paul also clearly tells us that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. And having been baptized into His death we should also walk in the newness of life, knowing the power of His resurrection:

Rom 6:3-8   Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

For we know that… if we be DEAD WITH HIM, we shall also LIVE WITH HIM!!

You see, even “the dead” are “in Christ”, for “if one died for all, then were all dead”. This is why those who are alive and remain shall not prevent those who sleep, for “the dead in Christ shall rise first”. It can be no other way, for all were dead and Jesus Christ is the resurrection!!  It is “the dead” who are in need of “the resurrection of the dead”. Those who are “alive” have already PASSED from death unto life. They HAVE eternal life (that life that is IN THE SON) abiding in them (Christ in you, the hope of glory). They are “as the angels of God in heaven” and cannot die any more. They know THE POWER of HIS RESURRECTION (= THE FIRST resurrection and blessed and holy is he that hath part in it).  They no longer walk in darkness being children OF THE NIGHT. They are children OF THE DAY, children OF THE RESURRECTION. But, again, that is covered in other blogs so I will not elaborate here.

Yet some will still claim that unless we “believe” or unless we have “accepted the free gift” of salvation that Jesus Christ offers us, then we are not only not a part of His body, having been reconciled to the Father through the Son, we may very well be on that wide road that leads to destruction, to unending torment (or annihilation, depending on their particular flavor of “eternal punishment”).

When it comes to “the body of Christ”, to “the church”, many are quick to claim that while they are a part of it the majority of us are not. They will say they love their neighbors, but they will not see them as or call them their “brothers” (or “sisters”) in Christ.

However, the scriptures clearly tell us that even when it comes to our “neighbors” we are “members one of another”

Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Therefore:

Heb 10:24-27 … let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

So while that may be “the manner of some”, let us not be counted among them!

Let not the eye say to the hand or the head to the foot: “I have no need of thee”, as there should be “no schism in the body”. Let us remember that it is God who has tempered the body together and it is He who places us in the body, as He sees fit to place us. (1 Cor 12).

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is!

All Blessings in Christ!
Christine

Lazarus and the rich man: A story of “eternal torment” or “the salvation of the world”?

A lot of people use the story of Lazarus and the rich man to support their belief in hell and eternal torment but the story teaches nothing of the sort. It doesn’t even have anything to do with physical death; therefore, has nothing to do with the “afterlife” and where one might spend it.

I guess the first thing we need to do is establish that the story is, indeed, a parable that is meant to be spiritually discerned, rather than the story of the fate of two literal men after physical death.

Some will say that this is not a parable because it is not introduced as a parable. However, not all parables are explicitly identified as such, not even several of the other parables which Jesus tells in this same text, a series of which begins in Luke 15:3, in which the introduction is made only at the beginning of the first story:

Luke 15:3 And He spoke this parable to them, saying:

There are several stories/parables which follow this introduction in Luke 15:3 and the story of Lazarus and the rich man is only one of them. There is the parable of the Lost Sheep starting at Luke 15:4; there is the parable of the Prodigal Son starting at Luke 15:11; there is the parable of the Unjust Steward starting at Luke 16:1; then after a brief exchange with the Pharisees and Jesus telling them that they are they which justify themselves before men and tells them: “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery” (which many seem to skip over as even being a part of or relevant to the series of stories). Then we come to the story of Lazarus and the rich man at Luke 16:19. Then Jesus speaks of faith as a grain of mustard seed, forgiveness and those who serve a master. He then heads into Jerusalem and heals the ten lepers, etc.

So what about the story of Lazarus and the rich man? What does it mean and how does it fit into the other stories? Let’s start with just a high-level overview:

What do we know about the rich man?

1. He was clothed in purple and fine linen.

2. He has good things in his life.

3. He died and was buried and he found himself “tormented in this flame” while looking up from “hell”.

4. He, looking up from hell, sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.

5. He calls Abraham “Father”.

6. He begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his house to save his five brothers, lest they come unto the same torment.

What do we know about Lazarus?

1. He was laid at the gate, full of sore, desiring to be fed crumbs from the rich man’s table.

2. He has “dogs” licking his sores.

3. He had evil things in his life.

4. He died and was carried into Abraham’s bosom.

So what does all of that mean? Let’s look at the story:

Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Who is this “rich man”?

Others, like L Ray Smith and Bryan T. Huie, who have written on this story as a parable maintain that the rich man represents “Judah” and, therefore, all Israel. The reason being is that the color “purple” is symbolic of royalty and Judah carried the royal line of Israel and “fine linen” is symbolic of the priesthood. Also because Judah had 5 (full) brothers.

I think a good case can be made for that interpretation, but whether or not that evidence is sufficient enough to prove that this “rich man” represents “Judah” and therefore, all Israel, I do believe that this “rich man” represents Israel, or God’s chosen people, to whom Christ was addressing (and deriding) in this series of parables. Even Paul points out that the Jews had “an advantage” in that it was to them that the oracles of God were committed; therefore, “salvation is of the Jews” through “the faith of Abraham”.

Rom 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

So who is Lazarus?

Again, some believe that Lazarus represents Eliezer of Damascus, Abraham’s faithful servant and, as such, represents the Gentiles.

A case can certainly be made for that, but what I see as the main ‘identifier’ in this story of Lazarus are (1) his name, which means “whom God helps” and (2) his relationship to the “dogs” who are also mentioned in the story. This because the “Gentiles” were considered and identified as “dogs” in the scriptures, even by the Lord himself:

Refer to Mark:

Mar 7:24-30 And He arose from there and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered into a house and desired no one to know it. But He could not be hidden. For a woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him and came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-phoenician by race [a Gentile]. And she BEGGED Him that He would cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, LET THE CHILDREN [the Jews, whom He came to] FIRST BE FILLED. For it is not right to take the children’s loaves [take the ‘bread’ from their table] and to throw it TO THE DOGS [the Gentiles, those not chosen]. And she answered and said to Him, Yes, Lord, yet THE DOGS UNDER THE TABLE eat of the children’s CRUMBS. And He said to her, For this saying go [because of her faith and desire to have any crumbs that might fall from the table], the demon has gone out of your daughter. And when she had come to her house, she found the demon had gone out, and her daughter lay on the couch.

Here, we even see “dogs under the table” begging to eat “the children’s crumbs”. Shall we believe that this is mentioned for nothing?

So, as I see it, this parable depicts Lazarus [the Gentile nations] who is laid at the gate, full of sores, desiring to be fed by the crumbs from the table of the rich man [God’s chosen people].

Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luke 16:23 And IN HELL [hades] he lifted up his eyes, BEING IN TORMENTS, and saw Abraham AFAR OFF, and Lazarus in his bosom.

So what happens next is not that Lazarus is fed, or not, but that both men die.

Though both men died, Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom while the rich man was buried and found himself looking up from ‘hell’ [hades] being in torment in a flame and seeing Lazarus, afar off, in the bosom of Abraham.

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, FATHER Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water AND COOL MY TONGUE, for I am tormented in this flame.

This “rich man” recognizes Abraham and even calls him “father”, further supporting the idea that the rich man in this story represents Israel or the Jews. But what is really worth noting is what it is that this rich man wants cooled. HIS TONGUE!!

What do we know about the tongue?

Jam 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell [gehenna].

Here we see the tongue, a fire, and hell all mentioned together again!!

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things [the wealth and riches of God; bless of God; God’s chosen], and likewise Lazarus evil things [not chosen of God]. But now he is COMFORTED [having been made a partaker of the commonwealth of Israel] and you are TORMENTED [having been judged unworthy and cast off].

Luke 16:26 And besides all this, there is a great chasm fixed between you and us; so that they desiring to pass from here to you CANNOT, nor can they pass over to us from there.

Here we see that there is “a great chasm” between the rich man and Abraham/Lazarus, one that is “fixed” and cannot be crossed.

Those who use this story to teach the doctrine of eternal torment, see this as a permanent condition for those who end up in hell/hades after death. However, Abraham did not say that this was a permanent condition, only that it was their present condition. Nor does this parable have anything to do with the physical death of any man.

If this story is, indeed, about the Jews and the Gentiles then what is this “great chasm” that is fixed between these two men?

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Israel did not stumble that they should fall, but that salvation could come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. (Rom 11)

Luke 16:27-28 And he said, I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luke 16:29 Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them. [They have the Words of God through Moses and the prophets, let them hear THEM and listen so that they do not come under the same condemnation.]

Luke 16:30 And he said, No, father Abraham, but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent.

Luke 16:31 And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead.

Here we have the rich man asking for Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers so that on the testimony of one who was risen from the dead they might not come into this place of torment. However tells him that “they have Moses and the Prophets” and “of they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead”. And how true those words are!! They are even reminiscent of what Jesus, himself, said to the Jews:

Joh 5:45-47 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

And neither were they persuaded when He rose from the dead!!!

This story is not one of “eternal torment” in hell for the wicked dead. It has nothing to do with the eternal fate of the wicked after they physically die. It is about the gospel and how it was brought to the Jews, wherein it was rejected so that the Gentiles could be grafted in, resulting in “the riches of the world”.

In order for that to happen ALL MEN (both Jew and Gentile) had to be gathered together IN ONE BODY, by being baptized INTO THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST (both ‘men’ died)!

The gospel has been given to the Gentiles, who now find themselves in the place of God’s chosen people, in the bosom of Abraham. So it is no longer the Gentiles begging for crumbs [perhaps ‘bread’ crumbs?] from the table of the Jews; but the Jews begging for a drop of water [living water, no doubt] from the Gentiles (spiritually speaking).

And it is not by calling on the name of “father Abraham” that the “great chasm” that is fixed between the two can be bridged. It is BY THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM that we are “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:

Mat 8:10-12 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When comparing spiritual things with spiritual, how can we not see that this is exactly what the parable of Lazarus and the rich man is all about? Not about the physical death of two men and what awaits them on the other side of a physical grave in eternity but about the gathering together of two nations, wherein the one that was “afar off” and “without God in the world” is “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom” and those who were nigh, who rejected their Savior due to the veil of the flesh, have been “cast out of the kingdom”?

Not permanently!!

2Co 3:15-16 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

Turn to the Lord!! Not Abraham! Believe Moses and the prophets who testified of Jesus Christ!! And walk in the same faith that Abraham walked in!

Pro 15:24 THE WAY of LIFE is ABOVE to the wise, that he may DEPART FROM HELL BENEATH.

The Greek word “hades” means “unseen” and those who are “dead and buried” are UNSEEN (because their life IS HID with Christ in God, until he who is there life SHALL APPEAR). They are prisoners of “the body of this death” that is “full of dead’s men’s bones (likened to “a whited sepulcher”) whose THROAT is “an open sepulcher” and whose TONGUE is “set on fire of hell”

There is a spiritual truth to this, as it applies to those who are “dead” after a spiritual truth.

God was in Christ reconciling THE WORLD unto himself, making IN HIMSELF – ONE NEW MAN:

Eph 2:13-18 But NOW IN CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, WHO HATH MADE BOTH ONE, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make IN HIMSELF of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God IN ONE BODY by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we BOTH have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.

So then it seems reasonable to assume that ALL have been baptized into His death, but not all have been resurrected into His life.

Rom 6:3-8 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we HAVE BEEN planted together in the likeness of his death, we SHALL BE also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we BE DEAD with Christ, we believe that we SHALL ALSO LIVE with him:

We have to remember how the Lord works:

Jud 1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, ~AFTERWARD~ destroyed them that believed not.

Which is exactly the way it is reflected in the parables about the kingdom of heaven:

Mat 13:47-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. ((So shall it be at the end of the world)): the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

We see it again in the parable of the wedding feast:

Mat 22:8-14 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Jesus seems to indicate a connection or a common theme among “all parables”:

Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

And do we not see those similarities?

The tares and the wheat are growing together until harvest; there is TREASURE HIDDEN in the FIELD; that which is LOST is FOUND; that which is SOWN falls on different ground with different results; laborers are hired to work in the field and they ALL receive the SAME PAY/REWARD no matter what time “of the day” they were hired.

When it comes to THE END OF THE WORLD and THE HARVEST, Christ made it very clear that THE FIELD IS RIPE, ALREADY TO HARVEST and that “in the end of the world” he would send forth his angels TO REAP:

John 4:34-38

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. SAY NOT YE, THERE ARE YET FOUR MONTHS, AND THEN COMETH HARVEST?

BEHOLD, I say unto you, LIFT UP YOU EYES AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST.

And HE THAT REAPETH receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit UNTO LIFE ETERNAL: that both HE THAT SOWETH AND HE THAT REAPETH may rejoice TOGETHER.

And herein is that saying true, ONE SOWETH, and ANOTHER REAPETH.

I SENT YOU TO REAP

that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and YE ARE ENTERING INTO THEIR LABOURS.

So then THE FIELD IS WHITE, ALREADY TO HARVEST and Christ sent THEM (HIS DISCIPLES; THE ANGELS OF THE LORD) TO REAP to be LABORERS in the field and GATHER FRUIT UNTO LIFE ETERNAL. AMEN!!!!!!

THE REAPERS are THE ANGELS!

All blessings in Christ!

Christine

The Nicolaitans

In the book of Revelation the Lord speaks about the Nicolatians. To the church at Ephesus he says:

Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

And to the church at Pergamos he says:

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

This speaks of both THE DEEDS and THE DOCTRINES of the Nicolaitans. So who are the Nicolaitans? And what are these “deeds” and “doctrines” that the Lord hates?

First let’s look at the meaning of the word “Nicolaitan”. It comes from three different Greek root words NIKOS-LAOS-TON.

NIKOS means “to rule over” or “to conquer”

LAOS and TON together (laiton) mean “the laity” or “the people.”

So NICOLAITAN means “to rule over the people”.

This seems to speak of those who, like Diotrephes, wish to have “the preeminence”:

3John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

This is the place that belongs only to Jesus Christ:

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus said that we are not to exercise dominion/authority over others, as was seen among the Gentiles. He said: “It shall not be so among you”:

Mat 20:25-26 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

This is affirmed by the Apostles, as not even they sought to be “lords over” God’s heritage, but to be “examples” to the flock and “helpers” of their joy:

1Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

2Cr 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

When we speak of ourselves we are seeking our own glory, rather than glorifying the Lord, in whose name the gospel is to be preached:

John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Going back to Diotrephes, “who loveth to have the preeminence”, John speaks of “his deeds”:

3John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deed which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Nothing like being cast out of the synagogue, huh? How many claiming to have a better understanding of spiritual truths begin to cast others “out of the church”? Even as (some of them) claim to have been the victim of the same at the hands of others when they came to “the truth” that they now have? Doing the very same thing to others, in violation of the very thing that they preach? Jesus spoke against this, too.

We need not guess what the Lord “hates”:

Prov 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Prov 6::17-19 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

John clearly identified “the deed” of Diotrephes as “evil”:

3John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Again, Paul affirms that we are not to preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. We are to be “servants” not “lords”.

2Cr 4:5 For We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Paul warned us that there would be those men who would arise, speaking perverse things and drawing away disciples after themselves:

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Just as the scriptures and the Holy Spirit testify of Christ so do His true disciples. This pattern is seen even in John the Baptist, who was “not that light” but was “sent to bear witness of that light”, Christ:

John 1:8 He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John was not trying to draw disciples after himself:

John 1:19-20 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

He was preparing the way for the Lord!!

Those who followed John (“willing for a season to rejoice in his light” John 5:33) left John to follow Christ. Much like the law is a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, so should Christ’s disciples point us to the true light which is Christ. The bride belongs to the bridegroom!!

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

The preeminence and the headship belong to Christ!!

Paul said that the “power” and “authority” that was given to him was for edification, not destruction:

2Co 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

2Co 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

So while this may address THE DEEDS of the Nicolaitans, what of THE DOCTRINES of the Nicolaitans?

I’m not really sure if there is any particular list of “doctrines” that can be attributed to the Nicolaitans. Anyone know of any? Maybe it simply has to do with teaching anything that causes this sort of division, putting schism into the body of Christ?

We know that we are to walk in love, as love is the fulfillment of the law. And we are not to accept anyone into our spiritual house who brings not THIS doctrine. And Paul speaks in his epistle to the Romans about those who “cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned”. He said we are to “avoid them”.

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they (incorrectly) “suppose that gain is godliness”:

1Ti 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Christ said that “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”:

Luk 16:14-15 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Declaring that “the law and the prophets were until John”. But now is “the kingdom of God being preached, every man presseth into it”!

Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Peter also warns of false prophets and their false teachings, which deny the Lord and bring swift destruction:

2Pe 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

As does Paul when he speaks of “foolish and hurtful lusts” which “drown men in destruction and perdition”:

1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Not sure if that touches on it or not but it seems to fit the description of those who would be seeking “preeminence” in the body of Christ. And, in so doing receive not the brethren and forbid them that would, casting them out of the church. Which thing speaks contrary to Paul’s admonition not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” (as one body), as Paul said was “the manner of some”:

Heb 10:24-26 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

So let us consider one another to provoke one another to love and to good works; that which we were before ordains to walk in! That there be no schism in the body of Christ!

All Blessings in Christ!!

Christine

HEAVEN IS MY THRONE and EARTH IS MY FOOTSTOOL

See if you can’t see the connections between:

THE HEAVENS, LIFE, ABOVE, THE LIVING, NOT OF THE WORLD and THE DAY.

Vs

THE EARTH, HELL, BENEATH, THE DEAD, OF THE WORLD and THE NIGHT.

And notice where His JUDGMENTS are and that we are chosen IN A FURNACE OF AFFLICTION.

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John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are FROM BENEATH; I am FROM ABOVE: ye are OF THIS WORLD; I am NOT OF THIS WORLD.

Pro 15:24 The way of LIFE IS ABOVE ((to the wise)), that he may depart from HELL BENEATH.

Isa 14:9 HELL FROM BENEATH is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up THE DEAD for thee, even all the chief ones OF THE EARTH; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and THE GATES OF HELL shall not prevail against it.

Psa 9:11-20 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion [above]: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that LIFTEST ME UP FROM THE GATES OF DEATH: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. THE HEATHEN ARE SUNKEN DOWN IN THE PIT that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. THE WICKED shall be turned into HELL, and ALL THE NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen** be judged** in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Pro 9:13-18 A FOOLISH WOMAN is clamorous: she is simple, and KNOWETH NOTHING [the DEAD know not anything]. For she sitteth AT THE DOOR OF HER HOUSE, on a seat IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITY [Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.], To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that THE DEAD ARE THERE; and that HER GUESTS ARE IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL.

Jer 33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant OF THE DAY, and my covenant OF THE NIGHT, and that there should not be DAY AND NIGHT IN THEIR SEASON;

Jer 33:25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not WITH DAY AND NIGHT, and if I have not appointed the ordinances OF HEAVEN AND EARTH;

Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders IN HEAVEN ((ABOVE)), and signs IN THE EARTH ((BENEATH)); BLOOD, and FIRE, and VAPOUR OF SMOKE:

Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Luk 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Psa 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire , even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Lam 2:1 How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and CAST DOWN FROM HEAVEN UNTO THE EARTH the beauty of Israel, and remembered not HIS FOOTSTOOL in the day of his anger!

Mat 5:34-35 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by HEAVEN; for it IS GOD’S THRONE: Nor by THE EARTH; for it IS HIS FOOTSTOOL: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Act 7:49 HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and EARTH IS MY FOOTSTOOL: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Rev 1:15 And his FEET like unto fine brass, AS IF THEY BURNED IN A FURNACE.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION.

1Thes 3:3 That no man should be moved BY THESE AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that WE ARE APPOINTED THEREUNTO.

1Peter 5:9-10 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are IN THE WORLD. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his JUDGMENTS are IN ALL THE EARTH.

Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when THY JUDGMENTS are IN THE EARTH, the inhabitants OF THE WORLD will learn righteousness.

Pro 11:31 Behold, THE RIGHTEOUS shall be recompensed IN THE EARTH: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Isa 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense INTO THEIR BOSOM,

Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.

Just another old study… trying to “compare spiritual things with spiritual”. ;o)

All Blessings in Christ!

Christine