Keeping The Word Of His Perseverance
Revelation 3:10-13 – See the note below.
10 'Because you have kept [5083- see def. in Rev. 2:24-29 in part 1] the word of My perseverance [5281], I also will keep you from the hour of testing [“a trial, time of proving”], that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown [4735].
12 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name [see the article Submission To Christ And A New Name].
13 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
NASU
NT:5281 hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:5278 (“to stay under, remain, persevere”); cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:
KJV - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance (James 5:11)
2. a patient, steadfast waiting for;
3. a patient enduring, sustaining (2 Cor. 1:6)
NT:4735 stephanos (stef'-an-os)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, NT:1238), literally or figuratively:
KJV - crown.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
a crown (with which the head is encircled)
a. properly, as a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank
b. metaphorically,
1. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ
(2 Timothy 4:8)
2. that which is an ornament and honor to one: so of persons (Philippians 4:1)
The “word of My perseverance” is the word of the Lord to “hold fast what you have”, to keep standing firm in the Lord to the end, not moving away in apathy with an apostate heart. By definition it is to remain steadfastly waiting for Christ, to cheerfully and hopefully endure, to patiently endure, to remain under His lordship, not drifting away in unbelief but to continue doing His will. The promise from the Lord is that IF we will keep persevering in obedience to Him, attending carefully to our hearts in regard to what He has said to do, thereby remaining near Him, that He will keep us (guard and protect us) during the extreme time of testing (“a trial, time of proving”) that is coming upon the entire earth.
Jesus clearly says that by holding fast to what we have, no one will take our crown. “What we have” refers to what we have received from Christ. The question you may now have is, “Does this have anything to do with our salvation, or just our rewards?” We need to look at the verses that use the same Greek word that we interpret in English as “crown” to get a clearer understanding. As Paul stated, “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:7/NAS)
(For more about the word of perseverance see the Bible study The Word Of My Perseverance.)
Jude 1:6-7- See the note below.
6 And angels who did not keep [5083- “to guard, to attend to carefully, to take care of”] their own domain [746], but abandoned [620- “to leave, to desert, forsake”] their proper abode [3613- “a dwelling place, a habitation, a residence”], He has kept in eternal bonds [1199- “a band or bond, a shackle”] under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
7 Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange [2087- “another, i. e. one not of the same nature, form, class, kind; different”] flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. [See the Bible study called The Homosexual Spirit.]
(NAS)
NT:746 arche (ar-khay')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):
KJV - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. beginning, origin
a. used absolutely, of the beginning of all things (John 1:1 f)
b. in a relative sense, of the beginning of the thing spoken of (John 6:64)
2. the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader (Col. 1:18)
3. that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause (Rev. 3:14)
4. the extremity of a thing: of the corners of a sail (Acts 10:11)
5. the first place, principality, rule, magistracy (Luke 12:11)
In this passage Jude speaks of angels not keeping their own domain, “their first estate” in the KJV, which means their beginning or place of origin. This verse uses the same Greek word [746] as John 8:44 regarding Satan’s origin. According to the Scriptures, therefore, these angels origin is different than Satan’s. His origin, his beginning, his coming into existence, is that of a murderer and a liar. This is a dwelling place he never abandoned. (For much more concerning Satan being created evil from the start rather than a fallen angel as most teach, see the Bible study Satan’s Fall.)
Jude uses angels that did not “keep” their place of origin in Christ who created them, abandoning their place near Him by indulging in that which was not of Him, as an example for us not to rebel and indulge in wickedness. In fact Jude says that their punishment, and ours too if we, after turning to Christ and being given access into His presence rebel against His lordship over us, will be eternal fire. Luther did not like this book of the Bible because of Jude’s teaching against so-called “eternal security” that is so popular today. We are eternally secure in Christ as long as we keep the place of our origin in Him through the help of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:12-14).
“Crowns” In The Bible
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – See the note below.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize [see Philippians 3:12-14]? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath [4735], but we an imperishable [“not liable to corruption or decay, immortal”].
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified [96]. [See the Bible study Reprobate.]
NASU
NT:96 adokimos (ad-ok'-ee-mos)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and NT:1384; unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally):
KJV - castaway, rejected, reprobate.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
not standing the test, not approved [remember Revelation 3:10; “the hour of testing”]
In this passage Paul refers to the imperishable wreath, or crown that is bestowed upon all who finish the course (see 2 Timothy 4:7-8 below). As I have said through many of my writings, a good start does not ensure a good finish. Any runner will tell you this. It is through endurance training that you are able to finish. The author of Hebrews said, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” (Hebrews 10:36/NASU; also see Hebrews 12:1-3)
Many preachers teach that as long as you have started the race of salvation you will automatically receive the crown of eternal salvation, that it doesn’t matter afterwards whether or not you do the will of God and finish according to God’s rules for running. If that’s the case then Paul wasted his breath in this writing, and a few others. He also said, “if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize [“an honorary wreath, to crown, to adorn”] unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5/NASU) The guidelines of God are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit which is why every Christian must study the Bible to .
How is endurance developed in the Christian’s life? James tells us how; “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4/NIV; see Chapter Four, Not Lacking Anything in my book Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen) Perseverance (endurance) occurs through the many kinds of trials we will face in our life. Only through the testing of our faith and are learning to hold fast to Christ by the strength of the Holy Spirit will we be able to stand firm in the hour of testing that is coming upon the whole world. To fail the test now is to be rejected, or disqualified, later.
Self-control and discipline are key characteristics that must be developed through the training of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all followers of Christ. Paul is not making a cute statement to be funny, like many preachers today, but is clearly saying that preachers can be disqualified in this race of salvation. The Greek for “disqualified” is adokimos (ad-ok'-ee-mos). It is defined as “not approved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally), not standing the test.” As Jesus proclaimed, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:19/NASU)
(For more on testing see Psalm 105:16-20 in the Bible study Binding And Loosing. Also see Luke 13:10-17 which tells of the “bent double” woman being “released” on the Sabbath from Satan’s binding, allowing her to live an “upright” life.)
Longing For His Appearing
(This section is also in the Bible study The Appearing And Perfecting.)
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – The crown of righteousness. See the note below.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished [5055] the race, I have kept [5083- see definition in Revelation 2:24-29 above] the faith. [See the Bible study Cultivate Faithfulness.]
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
NIV
NT:5055 teleo (tel-eh'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:5056; to end, ie. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):
KJV - accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to bring to a close, to finish, to end: etee, passive, passed, finished (Rev. 20:3,5,7)
2. to perform, execute, complete, fulfill
a. with special reference to the subject-matter, to carry out the contents of a command:
b. with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving a notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfill: Luke 2:39
3. to pay (Matthew 17:24)
To finish the course is to bring faith to completion (James 2:22), and the only way to finish the course is by keeping [5083] the faith. It is here, at the end of the race rather than the beginning, that we receive the crown of righteousness. Remember, Jesus said in Revelation 2:26 (see above), “He who overcomes, and he who keeps [5083] My deeds [“works”] until the end [“that by which a thing is finished, the end to which all things relate, the aim, the purpose”]…” Again, doing the works of Jesus “until the end” is the only way to bring all things to completion, in particular our faith (James 2:14). In Paul’s exhortation to some fellow brethren he spoke of finishing the race, saying, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” (Acts 20:24/NIV)
To “long for His appearing” is to be diligent in keeping oneself pure and blameless in the faith. John spoke of this, saying;
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
(1 John 3:2-3/NASU)
Titus also spoke of how we should be living as we look for the appearing of Christ;
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing [“to train children, to chastise, to scourge, to discipline”] us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
(Titus 2:11-14/NASU)
1 Timothy 6:12-16 - Why “take hold” of eternal life if we already possess it? Because by not keeping the command to be diligent to be found in Christ without spot or blame at the appearing of Christ we will have forfeited the salvation that could have been ours but was lost due to careless neglect and sinful presumption. The Lord is now reminding us of this so as to be a people who are made ready when He soon comes.
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold [“to lay hold of, take possession of”] of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep [5083] the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which He will bring about at the proper time — He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
NASU
2 Thessalonians 2:7-15 – In this passage Paul is describing what will occur right before and at the appearing of Christ. The great apostasy, or falling away from following Him will happen first, as it is right now. The Lord, through His truth, is confronting us, telling us what we must do in order to be saved from His coming wrath. Those in the church who continue in their sin, disregarding the warning of God with no thought of turning away from their sin (those who fall away), will be brought to an end when Christ comes. In presumption of their security in Christ they will be judged along with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). They rejected God’s final plea to cleanse their hearts by faith, choosing instead to enjoy themselves in the passing pleasure of wickedness. Those who listen and do what the Spirit is saying will, at that appointed time of Christ’ appearing, gain His glory (see Colossians 3:1-4 below).
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
NASU
Colossians 3:1-4 – When Christ appears all who have set their minds and hearts (affections) on things above rather than the world will also appear with Him in glory. This is another reference to receiving the crown of glory by finishing the race, not just entering it.
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
NIV
1 Peter 5:1-4 – The “unfading” crown of glory will be received when Christ appears at the end of this age.
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain [NIV; “not greedy for money”], but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
NASU
James 1:12 – The crown of life is given to those who have been “approved”. They have stood firm, holding fast to Christ when tested. (This verse is repeated on p.28 with Revelation 2:10 which also refers to the crown of life.)
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres [5278] under trial [3986- see Rev. 3:10; the hour of trial]; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
NASU
NT:5278 hupomeno (hoop-om-en'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:5259 and NT:3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:
KJV - abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to remain i. e. tarry behind (Acts 17:14)
2. to remain i. e. abide,
a. to persevere: absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in
Christ (Matthew 10:22)
b. to endure, bear bravely and calmly: absolutely, ill-treatment (1 Peter 2:20)
NT:3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:
KJV - temptation, try.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
an experiment, attempt, trial, proving
a. universally, trial, proving (Galatians 4:14)
b. specifically, the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc. (1 Peter 4:12)
c. “temptation” (i. e., trial) of God by men, i. e. rebellion against God, by which his power and justice
are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves (Hebrews 3:8)
1 John 2:28 – To “continue in Him” is not in many Christian’s doctrines. They say that once you are “in Him” you can never be “out of Him.” Jesus taught otherwise in John 15:1-11, and John in 1 John 2:3-6, 24-29.
28 And now, dear children, continue [3306] in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
NIV
NT:3306 meno (men'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):
KJV - abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), thine own.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to remain, abide
I. intransitively
1. to place
a. to sojourn, tarry (Luke 8:27)
b. tropically
1. equivalent to not to depart, not to leave, to continue to be present (1 John 2:19)
2. to be held, or kept, continually: in the state of death (1 John 3:14)
2. to time; to continue to be, i. e., not to perish, to last, to endure: used of persons, to survive, live
3. to state or condition; to remain as one is, not to become another or different: with a predicate
nominative monos (John 12:24)
II. transitively; tina, to wait for, await (Acts 20:5)
Daniel 3:24-26 – This passage is a picture, in type, of what will occur at the end of this age. In the fiery judgments of the Lord, all who have longed for His appearing by standing firm as these three Hebrew men did, persevering by keeping the faith, will be “loosed” from that which has bound them on earth. The wicked will perish but the faithful will be “released” into their perfection in Christ! (See the Bible studies Cultivate Faithfulness, and Binding And Loosing.)
The Body of Christ finally being perfected is in conjunction with His appearing. It will not happen to all in the church, but only those who have held fast to the Lord (see the Bible study Elul; The Season Preparation and 40 Days of Favor). This is our hope of glory, of our being made complete in Him (i.e. the “fullness” that Paul spoke of in Romans 11:25). It is our encouragement to keep standing firm until the end so as to be saved. (See the Bible study The Appearing And Perfecting for more examples.)
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men loosed [8271] and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.
NASU
OT:8271 shere' (Aramaic) (sher-ay')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a root corresponding to that of OT:8293; to free, separate; figuratively, to unravel, commence; by implication (of unloading beasts) to reside:
KJV - begin, dissolve, dwell, loose.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
to loosen, to abide, to begin
a) (P'al)
1) to loosen
2) to abide (from loosing girths for camp)
b) (Pael) to begin, to open
c) (Ithpael) to be loosened
The Test; “Is Christ IN you?”
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 – Paul speaks of “the test” to determine whether or not we are in the faith which he says means Christ is in us. To be in the faith is to keep the faith (see 2 Timothy 4:7-8). To keep the faith is to keep His deeds, or works, to do His will. And to keep His works is to remain in Him. Otherwise, you can become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27) which is to be unapproved, not standing the test.
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved [96- “reprobate, not standing the test, not approved”; see Romans 1:28, 1 Cor. 9:27, 2 Cor. 13:5-7, 2 Timothy 3:8, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 6:8”].
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
NASU
1 John 2:3-6 – This is how we know that Christ is in us, or that we are in Him; if we keep His commandments then we are in Him, and He is in us; 1 John 1:9 says that by abiding in His teaching He, and the Father, will abide in us. John says that the person who claims to be in Christ (a Christian) will walk as Christ walked. John says that walking in truth is to walk according to His commandments (2 John 1:4, 6).
This is how we need to examine ourselves; by taking an honest look at our walks as a Christian. How did Jesus walk? It is revealed to us in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. As we have already seen, to keep His word is to be kept by Him, bringing to completion our faith, finishing the race we have entered (see note for 2 Timothy 4:7-8 on p.2 in the Bible study The Appearing And Perfecting).
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep [5083] His commandments.
4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep [5083] His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps [5083] His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected [5048]. By this we know that we are in Him:
6 the one who says he abides [3306- see def. in 1 John 2:28 above] in Him ought himself to walk [4043- “to live, to regulate one’s life, to conduct oneself”] in the same manner as He walked.
NASU
NT:5083 tereo (tay-reh'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from teros (a watch; perhaps akin to NT:2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from NT:5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from NT:2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):
KJV - hold fast, keep (-er), (pre-, re-) serve, watch.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to attend to carefully, take care of
a. properly, to guard: tina, a prisoner (Matthew 27:36,54)
b. metaphorically, to keep: tina, one in that state in which he is (1 Corinthians 7:37)
c. to observe: namely, poos k.t.l., (Revelation 3:3)
d. to reserve: to undergo something (2 Peter 2:4)
NT:5048 teleioo (tel-i-o'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character):
KJV - consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to carry through completely; to accomplish, finish, bring to an end (Acts 20:24)
2. to complete (perfect), i. e. add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full
3. to bring to the end (goal) proposed: ouden (Hebrews 7:19)
4. to accomplish, i. e., bring to a close or fulfillment by event (John 19:28)
2 Corinthians 5:17 – One of the things to observe, to test and see if we are in Christ is if we have become a new creation. Has the old lifestyle, the old way of thinking and acting passed away and been replaced by God with a new way of living?
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature [2937]; the old [“original”] things passed away; behold, new [“recently made, fresh, of a new kind”] things have come.
NASU
NT:2937 ktisis (ktis'-is)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:2936; original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively):
KJV - building, creation, creature, ordinance.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
the act of founding, establishing, building,
1. the act of creating, creation (Romans 1:20)
2. i. e., thing created
a. used of individual things and beings, a creature, a creation (Romans 1:25)
b. used collectively, the sum or aggregate of created things (Rev. 3:14)
3. an institution, ordinance (1 Peter 2:13)
Revelation 2:10 – See the note below, also James 1:12 below the note.
10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested [3985], and you will have tribulation [2347- “a pressing, pressing together, pressure”] for ten days. Be faithful [“trustworthy”] until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
NASU
NT:3985 peirazo (pi-rad'-zo)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:
KJV - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive (Acts 9:26)
2. to try, make trial of, test:
a. in a good sense (Matthew 22:35)
b. in a bad sense: to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment
(Matthew 16:1)
c. to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin (James 1:13 f)
d. After the O.T. usage:
1. of God; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
2. by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were, to give proof of his perfections (Acts 15:10)
Jesus said to the church in Smyrna to not fear what they were about to suffer at the hands of the devil. If they would be faithful until death He would give them the crown of life. This is what happened to Joseph when he was cast into prison. After he was tested and proven to be faithful (i.e. “approved” by God), “the King sent and released Him”! (See Psalm 105:17-20 in the Bible study Binding And Loosing.)
To be tested and proven faithful is to be established in the covenant. To be established is to be made ready, prepared to enter in as a wise virgin (see Genesis 6:17-18 right below). If we are not prepared to enter into the presence of God we will die, as a foolish virgin (Hosea 6:1-3). It is God’s love for us to revive us before crossing over into our eternal inheritance in Christ, “that we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:2)
The Lord said to Shelley and I years ago; “Come to the other side.” The way over has been hidden ever since because we were not ready, we were not prepared to enter His presence. It wasn’t time (Gal. 4:4). It was for our protection. He is beginning to reveal His way to us now, though, so as to make us, and His people, ready for His return. Once prepared, “the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (2 Peter 1:11/NASU) Being given this revelation tells me that He is getting close to returning!
(Since this study first came to me, I have been given more revelation which I have written down in the Bible study Contrary Winds.)
James 1:12 – See the note below.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres [5278] under trial [3986- “trial, proving”, see def. above]; for once he has been approved [1384], he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
NASU
NT:5278 hupomeno (hoop-om-en'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:5259 and NT:3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:
KJV - abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to remain i. e. tarry behind (Acts 17:14)
2. to remain i. e. abide,
a. to persevere: absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in
Christ (Matthew 10:22)
b. to endure, bear bravely and calmly: absolutely, ill-treatment (1 Peter 2:20)
NT:3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:
KJV - temptation, try.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
an experiment, attempt, trial, proving
a. universally, trial, proving (Galatians 4:14)
b. specifically, the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc. (1 Peter 4:12)
c. “temptation” (i. e., trial) of God by men, i. e. rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves (Hebrews 3:8)
NT:1384 dokimos (dok'-ee-mos)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:1380; properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:
KJV - approved, tried.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. properly, accepted, particularly of coins and metals (Genesis 23:16)
2. accepted, equivalent to acceptable, pleasing (Romans 14:18)
As with Revelation 2:10, James also refers to the necessity of the Christian to persevere in order to receive the crown of life. To persevere is “to remain, to persevere, to endure, to hold fast to one's faith in Christ (Matthew 10:22).” It is “the word of My perseverance” (Rev. 3:10), all to be “approved” by God in order to receive the crown of life.
It is the testing of our faith that produces endurance; “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [3986], knowing that the testing [1383] of your faith produces endurance [5281- “steadfastness, endurance, a patient enduring, cheerful or hopeful endurance”]. And let endurance have its perfect [“complete, perfect, finished”] result, so that you may be perfect and complete [3648], lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4/NASU) (See The Perfect Result in my book The Resurrected Bride, p.61-67) To be “complete”[3648] is by definition “complete in all its parts, in no part lacking or unsound, complete, entire, whole.” The same Greek word is used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 in describing our being sanctified “entirely” which means “complete to the end, wholly.” He continues, saying; “may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete [3648], without blame at the coming [His appearing] of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (See the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End.)
Daniel 1:8-20 – The test that proves from where or what we have been partaking/eating at. Longing for the Lord’s appearance (2 Timothy 4:8), eating from His table rather than the devil’s which includes the religious system void of the Spirit, will affect our appearance when He comes. As with Daniel and his friends before King Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord will deal with us as well according to what He sees in our appearance when we stand before Him after our testing which reveals whether or not we are approved or considered reprobate, or disqualified. (See the Bible study The Appearing And Perfecting.)
12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13 "Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see."
14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of ten days [see Num. 14:22, Rev. 2:10, Ps. 105:17-22] their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food.
NASU
(This is from the section Babylon’s High Regard For The External in the article Exiles In Babylon.)
Interestingly, we are told that, like Jesus with His disciples, Babylon’s king commanded that the Hebrew young men be trained for a period of three years. The Bible says;
The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king's personal service. (Daniel 1:5/NAS)
They could not enter the king’s service until finishing a three year period of training that involved daily food and wine straight from his table. In truth, all disciples chosen by the Lord must also spend a similar time eating and drinking that which comes directly from our King’s table (see the Bible study The Daily Portion). It is our education period known as discipleship which prepares us for the time when we will be called to serve before the King of kings. (See chapter two, Early Interaction, in my book Walking In The Light for more biblical insights on the significance of discipleship in the first three years of every believer.)
Today’s “kings” in Babylon have also mandated the training period to be three-plus years in their Divinity schools and seminaries through which they will earn a degree that qualifies them to be their leaders. In this manner, and of like kind, they become the official task-Masters of Divinity in the houses of religious bondage.
Like King Nebuchadnezzar, they also feed their servant leaders from their tables a daily ration of their mind-altering food and drink. These modern day kings train their disciples to serve them and their kingdoms (i.e. denominations), requiring them to be trained under their confusing mix of truth and lies to ensure the continuation of their rule over those held captive under their spell. They will soon be removed by God from leading His sheep astray. In the difficult times that are quickly coming upon earth, all self-serving, hireling hearts will be exposed and judged, cast out of His kingdom.
Genesis 6:17-18 – See the note below. (This is from the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End.)
17 "Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish.
18 "But I will establish [6965] My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark — you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
NASU
OT:6965 quwm (koom)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative):
KJV - abide, accomplish, be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, be dim, endure, enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure (-ly), (be) up (-hold, -rising).
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
to rise, to arise, to stand, to rise up, to stand up
a) (Qal)
1) to arise
2) to arise (hostile sense)
3) to arise, to become powerful
4) to arise, to come on the scene
5) to stand
a) to maintain oneself
b) to be established, to be confirmed
c) to stand, to endure
d) to be fixed
e) to be valid
f) to be proven
g) to be fulfilled
h) to persist
i) to be set, to be fixed
b) (Piel)
1) to fulfil
2) to confirm, to ratify, to establish, to impose
c) (Polel) to raise up
d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, to rise up
e) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to arise, to raise
2) to raise, to set up, to erect, to build
3) to raise up, to bring on the scene
4) to raise up, to rouse, to stir up, to investigate
5) to raise up, to constitute
6) to cause to stand, to set, to station, to establish
7) to make binding
8) to carry out, to give effect to
f) (Hophal) to be raised up
This is the order of God for mankind to enter His ark of deliverance (see chapter 8, Entering In, and chapter 9, Establishing The Covenant Before Entering In in book 4, Works And Salvation). To “establish” is by definition “to arise, to rise up [Hosea 6:2], to stand up [Luke 13:10-17], to endure, to be proven.” To be established is to rise up above the judgment in the final cleansing of the earth of all that is wicked by the wrath of God. Those who arise, or rise up in Christ will be like Noah who rose above the judgment of God. (See Chapter Forty One, Extending His Hand in my book The Resurrected Bride.)
By Hebrew definition, therefore, to be tested and proven faithful/approved (Rev. 2:10, 3:10) is to be established in the covenant. To be established in the covenant is to be made ready to enter into God’s deliverance in Christ, to have the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of Christ “abundantly supplied” to you (2 Peter 1:10-11). (See Genesis 17:1 when God told Abraham that He would establish His covenant with him.)
We have not yet crossed over into our eternal inheritance in Christ because many within the Body of Christ on earth are not ready. This is why the way across has been hidden until now. It’s for our protection, so that we may live when entering into His presence (Hosea 6:1-3). It isn’t yet “the fullness of time” for this to occur (Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10, 23, 3:19, 4:13; Colossians 1:19, 2:9)
1 Peter 1:3-9 – The outcome of our faith, the faith that we “kept” (2 Timothy 4:7) while going through various trials (times of proving), is the salvation of our souls. The proving of our faith is the keeping of the word of God’s perseverance (Rev. 3:10) which is to keep persevering in Christ when under trial until the end so as to be saved (Matthew 10:22, 24:13). The crown of life is given at to all who have entered the race at the finish, at the end (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10). This will result in praise and glory and honor at the appearing of Christ (see the Bible study The Appearing And Perfecting).
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed [601] in the last time. [See the Bible study Freedom In Christ for more on the power of God.]
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials [3986- “trial, proving”],
7 so that the proof [1383- “that by which something is tried or proved, a test”] of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested [1381- “to test, examine, prove”] by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation [602] of Jesus Christ; [see the Bible study Silver And Gold Sons And Daughters]
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome [5056- “end”] of your faith the salvation of your souls.
NASU
NT:601 apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop'-to)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:575 and NT:2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:
KJV - reveal.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. properly, to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up; to disclose, make bare (Ex. 20:26)
2. metaphorically, to make known, make manifest, disclose, what before was unknown
a. passages of any method whatever by which something before unknown becomes evident (Matthew 10:26)
b. passages of matters which come to light from things done (Luke 2:35)
c. used of God revealing to men things unknown (Daniel 2:19)
d. passages of things, previously non-existent, coming into being and to view (Romans 8:18)
e. passages of persons, previously concealed, making their appearance in public (Col. 3:3)
NT:602 apokalupsis (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:601; disclosure:
KJV - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
an uncovering
1. properly, a laying bare, making naked (1 Samuel 20:30)
2. tropically, in N.T. and ecclesiastical language
a. a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning divine things before unknown (1 Cor. 2:10)
b. manifestation, appearance (Luke 2:32)
NT:5056 telos (tel'-os)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically, an impost or levy (as paid):
KJV - continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare NT:5411.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. end,
a. termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be,
b. the end i. e. the last in any succession or series:
c. that by which a thing is finished, its close, issue (Matthew 26:58)
d. the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose (1 Timothy 1:5)
2. toll, custom (Matthew 17:25)
Malachi 3:1-5 – The Lord’s judgment is preceded by His refining, giving His people time to repent, preparing their hearts in order to be covered when He comes. [Notice that it was the sons of Levi who were purified. They were the chosen of the chosen people of God who, because of their setting apart by God for Himself (i.e. sanctified hearts toward God) were to be the ones who would bring decisions for the Lord’s people, and carry the ark of His presence. They represent the current followers of Christ who have been more careful in their walks with God and have therefore been chosen to rule with God in the age to come.]
1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear [6437] the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the Lord of hosts.
2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
3 "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
4 "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5 "Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the Lord of hosts.
NASU
OT:6437 panah (paw-naw')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.:
Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words- panah [OT:6437] - “to turn towards, turn back, turn around, attach to, pass away, make clear.”
Isaiah 48:9-11 – In His rebuke of Israel the Lord tells them He has delayed His wrath from them for the sake of His name, in order to not cut them off. He proved their hearts in the “furnace of affliction.” See Zechariah 13:9.
9 "For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, in order not to cut you off.
10 "Behold, I have refined [6884- “to smelt, to refine, to test and prove true”] you, but not as silver; I have tested [977] you in the furnace of affliction [“affliction, poverty, misery”].
11 "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.
NASU
OT:977 bachar (baw-khar')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select:
KJV - acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)
to choose, elect, decide for
a) (Qal) to choose
b) (Niphal) to be chosen
c) (Pual) to be chosen, to be selected
Joined Together In An Unholy Alliance
Numbers 25:14-18 – The Israelite man who was a son of “a leader of a father’s household among the Simeonites”, and the Moabite woman who was “the daughter of a leader of Midian” represent the leadership of God’s people who have joined together with the wicked in an unholy alliance (2 Chronicles 20:35-37; see the Bible study The Bride And The Gold Of Ophir; An Unholy Alliance). Both will die. We must separate from all that would defile us, cleansing ourselves “from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) in order to be joyfully welcomed by Him.
14 Now the name of the slain man of Israel who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri [“my music”] the son of Salu [“weighed”], a leader of a father's household among the Simeonites.
15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi [“false, my lie”] the daughter of Zur [“rock”], who was head of the people of a father's household in Midian.
16 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
17 "Be hostile to the Midianites and strike them;
18 for they have been hostile to you with their tricks, with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor and in the affair of Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor."
NASU
The following is from “God Came”, p.20. Also see p.22:
The Unholy Alliance
…To the Christians that have joined themselves to this unholy alliance, may you repent quickly and separate yourselves from that which the Lord will expose as lies, deceit, and treachery against Him…
In the prophecy from the Lord, I mentioned an unholy alliance. This was based on the actions of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37;
2 Chronicles 20:35-37
35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who was guilty of wickedness.
36 He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber,
37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made." The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.
NIV
Right after the Lord had given a great delivery for Judah by destroying their enemies through confusion, King Jehoshaphat made an ill-advised alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel who was guilty of wickedness. The Lord then destroyed the ships they had worked together on. Interestingly, Psalm 48:7 says; "With the east wind You break the ships of Tarshish." (NASU) An east wind from God was used to destroy the ships! Remember the prophecy; …A strong east wind will now blow away the dark clouds of confusion, giving way to the light of God's glory in Cedar Springs, Michigan. Amen. Yes, amen and amen!!
1 Kings 22:48-49 – We are told in this passage why he made the ships with Ahaziah. It was for the gold of Ophir (see the Bible study The Bride And The Gold Of Ophir; An Unholy Alliance). They were not just broken, they were shattered, they were smashed, they were crushed!
48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir [“reducing to ashes”] for gold, but they did not go for the ships were broken [“to break, shatter, smash, crush”] at Ezion-geber [“backbone of a man”].
49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants go with your servants in the ships." But Jehoshaphat was not willing.
NASU
(The following is taken from Chapter Twelve, Breaking The Bonds Of Our Brothers, p.59-62in my book [Book 2] called The Womb Of The Dawn / The Bent Double Woman.)
In Judges 15 Samson burned the crops of the Philistines because his father-in-law had given his wife to another man while he was away. The Philistines then burned to death his wife and father-in-law, blaming them for their bad fortune.
After ruthlessly striking the Philistines, Samson went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam. Etam means “lair of wild beasts.” It’s also defined as “hawk ground,” coming from a word that means “a hawk or other bird of prey.” From this high place where he was dwelling, Samson is about to be bound and led away.
A similar scenario is revealed in Revelation 18 regarding the fall of Babylon the harlot. Described as a dwelling place, or “lair” of wild beasts, she sounds very similar to the place Samson was dwelling. This is a perfect depiction of the present state of the church in America.
Through the “unclean,” unsanctified spirits of God’s children, demons now inhabit the dwelling of God within the temple of His Body, the cleft of the Rock. Like the bent-double woman, many are kept in this unrighteous prison ruled by hypocrites. If you remain in a similar place of fellowship, not coming out from their midst to the “higher” place where the Lord is summoning us, you will never be set free to walk an upright life and escape the judgment to come.
While in Etam, 3,000 men of Judah came to him asking him why he burned the Philistine’s fields. They told Samson they came to bind (“to yoke or hitch, to imprison”) him and give him into the hands of the Philistines who, at that time, ruled over them and had come to kill him.
Judges 15:13 says he was bound with “two new ropes” by his fellow countrymen and led away to Israel’s enemies. As with Esther and Mordecai, right when it looked like the enemy would get the upper hand, God turns it to the contrary. It was a set-up by Him to deliver His people from those who were oppressing them. I believe a similar scenario will occur on our soil.
In the presence of his enemies, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson, releasing him from his bonds. Verse 14 says they were “dropped” which means “to dissolve, to melt, to waste away.” The bonds his brothers put on him would quickly be dissolved when the Spirit of God touched him. Like the bent-double woman in Luke 13:16, he was instantly released (which means “to loosen; to dissolve anything bound, tied, or compacted together”) from the bondage of the yoke of his brothers for a great deliverance of Israel from their enemy. The bond of his brothers represents the bondage that occurs when we adhere to our brothers in the church false doctrines, continuing with them in their hypocritical fellowship. Their yoke is not the Lord’s.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus’ invitation in this Scripture is very similar to the bent-double woman’s when He called her over to Himself.
The Greek for “weary” means “to feel fatigue; to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toils or burdens or grief).” The heavy burdens from wicked spirits that have attached themselves to us through bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33) cause us to walk bent over, in an unrighteous manner.
They cause us to grow weary, and even stumble badly. It is only as we come to Jesus Christ and receive His touch that the ungodly unions that bound us are dissolved and we are set free, gaining new strength to walk upright lives. Many of God’s people in this nation need help to detach from bad fellowships and reattach to the Lord.
The word “yoke” is taken from the Greek zugos [dzoo-gos']. It is defined as “to join, a coupling; figuratively, servitude.” Metaphorically it’s used of any burden or bondage, such as that of slavery. Again, the union with hypocrites must be broken first. We must then be rejoined to Christ alone before you and I can truly learn from, or know Him. If we do not know Him in this manner, we will not be allowed entrance into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). We must be joined to Christ alone, not an individual minister, ministry, or denomination.
In Leviticus 26 the Lord lists for Israel the blessings of obedience and the curses for disobedience. In regards to obedience He promises in verses 11-13, “Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you should not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect [“upright”].”
Within the Bible, Egypt is referred to as “the house of bondage.” It is the place where God’s people were in slavery, building bricks for the wrong master. Today, that house is the house of Babylon, the house of religious hypocrites where many of God’s people are enslaved. The controlling yoke of the stubborn pharaohs ruling over God’s children must be broken off before they can arise at the end of this age. Having been shown the way in private communion with their Savior, His deliverer’s will then come forth, publicly, to lead His people into the promised place in Himself.
Back in Judges 15, Samson stretched out his newly released hand per the empowering of the Spirit of God, much like Moses with the serpent, and seized a fresh jawbone of a donkey. With it he killed a thousand Philistines, making donkeys of them.
As revealed in an earlier chapter, to seize the serpent by the tail, as Moses did, is to take authority over the false prophets. I see the exact same thing occurring with Samson when he seized the fresh, new jawbone of an ass (KJV).
There appears to be a correlation between the two new ropes that Samson’s brothers bound him with, and the new (a definition for “fresh”) jawbone of a donkey. Christians seem to be always seeking after the latest, the newest thing. Like a drug addict they frantically search out their next spiritual fix. In a greedy exchange, the false prophets are more than willing to deal out their false revelations that keep the deceived coming back for more.
2 Peter 2:14-16 warns us of these false teachers who “with eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed, an accursed brood! They have left the straight [“upright”] way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey, a beast without speech, who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.”
While on their reckless way to curse God’s people with arrogant words of foolishness, the Balaam’s of our day continue to beat those who try to steer them away from God’s judgment. They believe they’re above the burden bearer’s that are carrying them.
The Lord is once again reaching out to restrain the insanity of those who have wandered off the path of uprightness to fulfill a wicked desire. Having lost all spiritual eyesight, they cannot see the extreme danger that lies right ahead for them, and all who follow. There is a time when God, in His mercy, opens the mouth of those who appear to the Balaam’s as an ignorant beast. They declare His word to those who are cursing His children with their words. That time is happening right now.
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