Adoption rev 6/10

Sunday, August 23, 2009
ADOPTION ~ As I understand adoption, it appears to be where a child is bodily removed from under an established set of rules wherein a child is governed and placed under the authority of another, thereby changing the rules to which the child will be governed. The spiritual aspect of this would be to take a child (bodily) out of the natural (depraved) world of self-gratification in which he was placed at the fall of Adam and is presently living under, and place him in another world.
We find in Eph 1:5 that God ‘predestinated us unto the adoption of children … wherein he hath made us acceptable in the beloved', our husband, Jesus. Why? That we may be ‘to the praise of his glory’ here in this time world. So we see herein that the predestinating is unto the adoption that takes place here in time that the ‘us’ would be to the praise and glory of her husband. We find in Rm 8:15 that those called have received the spirit of adoption, (predestinated to conform) unto the image of his Son, their husband Jesus. We also find how this image is brought about in Mal 3:3. Yes it is as the refining of silver, wherein the heat removes the impurities of the flesh. The husbands are commanded to have the pure love for their wives as Jesus does his bride when this is accomplished, Oh that it was so, then the image of the husband is shown in the face of the wife. There is a Valentine bear that sets between our pillows that reads ‘only you’ and when this thought is manifested in my love for her we become no more twain but one, and the husband’s image is mirrored in her face (Rm 12:2).

We also find that those under the first covenant were adopted by the giving of the covenant written in stone (Rm 9:4). ). In order too enjoy the benefits of the adoption under this covenant required self-control under the authority of Jehovah their husband (Jer 31:32). After those days (Jer 31:31) it would then be by the new covenant, under the authority of Jesus their husband (John 17:14). Adam was created and placed under the law of self-control (no adopting here) whereby he was to give honor unto his Creator rather than indulge in self-gratification, for he was forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Even though under the law of God, which required self-control, Adam was given the ability too, to exercise self-gratification. Upon exercising his self-gratification, by taking of the forbidden tree of knowledge, he was removed from the law given to him in the garden. No longer governed by a law (Rom 8:7, 5:13) of self-control, he would therefore only follow after his own selfish desires. That is in the state of total depravity in which the Gentile world lived before Christ (Eph 2:12, Acts 14:16, 17:30). One might say, if this be so, than explain the teaching of Rom 2:14. We know that the scriptures do not contradict themselves, therefore Eph 2:14 must be the condition that existed within the Gentile world before the time of Rom 2:14, for Paul is writing herein after the day of Pentecost, which defines the power found in the new covenant. This is the expression given in Eph 2:11 concerning the circumcision of the heart, which establishes the new covenant in the heart. This new covenant is always stated as ‘after those days’, referring to the day of Pentecost, when the fading away of the old (Heb 8:13) covenant in tables of stone began, to be completed at the destruction of Jerusalem in seventy AD. After the fall of Adam, God has opened the eyes of a few to see their depravity, and given them the spirit to guide their conduct according to the nine elements found therein. These are recorded in chapter eleven of Hebrews.

One might say at this point, are you saying that before the giving of the covenants, (old and new) that all of the race of Adam was without sin? God forbid! The nine elements of the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22) establishes in the minds of all of God’s children the ability to discern between good and evil (tree of knowledge), nothing more. The only way a person can know what is good is in experiencing evil. There must be a contrast to understand or distinguish anything as good or evil. Rom 5:13 "until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." Gen 4:26 "At the birth of Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD." The indication here is that they were as those found in Acts 17:23. In other words, God was not with them as Jehovah, but simply as the Supreme Being. No adoption, for there was no law to guide them other than the so-called moral law established in the minds of the child of God, as the fruit of the spirit, wherein they were able to experience between good and evil. Something that was known, by the law as evil was not known by most of God’s people. For instant adultery as defined by the law did not register on these children of God (Acts 17:23). We are told in Heb 10:3 that the giving of the old law enables those to whom it was given, the knowledge of what sin was. "A remembrance again made of sins." This being so as stated in Heb 9:9, it "could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience." In other words, no human effort to keep the law can relieve the conscience of guilt. This could only be accomplished by the faith found in the new covenant (1 Jh 5:4, and Rom 12:3), wherein one is enabled to see the completed work of atonement wrought out by God in Christ in the three hours of darkness. Wherein His soul, as the substitute offering, was made in the room and stead of all of his children, both those having a law to govern them and those without law. ~ the new covenant gives those in possession thereof the ability to understand "God, the ‘I AM’ was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (2 Cor 5:19).
In order to understand adoption we must first start with Rom 9:4 "Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises." With the above concept, the children of Israel were adopted (redeemed) out of the (world) bondage of Egypt and given the law of Jehovah on mount Sinai. This law was given to the fewest, but a special people (Duet 7:6). Paul gives us additional information on these special people in Rom 3:1 "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." These oracles, covenants were given to govern the adopted children. None of the other children of God among the Gentiles were included in this adoption and therefore did not have this advantage. That is the close relationship with Jehovah. This covenant (is defined by Gal 4:23 as being after the flesh), the adherence to it was by the natural mind and not by inner motivations as those now adopted under the new covenant. In other words, those under the first covenant only had external evidences (law in stone and the outward physical evidence of God) to guide them in the way of truth (Isa 43:10). I say truth as opposed to knowing good from evil, for the knowledge received by Adam in eating of the tree of knowledge gives, as well as all of his children, this understanding: that is by contrast. We find in Isa 43:10 "Ye are my witness (Israel) … that I have chosen that ye may know me in truth."
Rom 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." The spirit of bondage was the condition found under the old covenant, which genders fear. (Heb 2:15) The fear came as a result of not being able to clear the conscience by keeping the demands of the law. Those under the new covenant now understand the completed work of Christ as their atonement; that is, they understand the basic fundamental doctrines as recorded in Romans 8:28,29, because these principles are written upon their hearts in the form of the new covenant. That is the reason the Apostle John writes in 2:20 of his first epistle, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth." This truth shall set you free from fear (John 8:32). It is this understanding by the spirit of adoption (truth) whereby we are able to cry My Father. Rom 8:23 "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." It is these bodies, not the spirit, which has been adopted. The adopted bodies are waiting to experience; making known the reality of the redemption of these bodies. The spirit and soul have already experienced redemption as it has already taken place on the cross, so it is these bodies, of the firstfruits, that are groaning within themselves, waiting for these adopted bodies to be delivered (in the resurrection) from this corruption that invades them.

Gal 4:1 "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world." (John 17:14) "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Paul, here is able to see himself, even as we were under the law, as our tutor until the time appointed of the father. The law is the schoolmaster (tutor) designed to bring us, in understanding, to Christ. It is very true that Christ redeemed the entire family of God, but the context herein is the deliverance from the bondage of the law given on mount Sinai, which is stated in Gal 4:24 "these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage." The fullness of time under consideration herein is like unto ‘the fullness of the Amorites’ of Gen 15:16. That is, God purposed to give the children of Israel the land of Canaan when the iniquity of the Amorites was filled up; likewise the bride of Christ was not given the spiritual land of Canaan until the fullness of the iniquity of the Jews were filled up. We see from this when the iniquity of the Jews were filled up, God then sent his Son, made of a woman, (made subject to the law written on mount Sinai), to redeem his bride from the curse thereof. (Gal 3:10). "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. …Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Again hear me out ~ the eternal principle concerning all of God’s children can be taught from these scriptures, but I repeat, is it not a timely lesson being taught herein as it pertains only to the little flock? Those chosen, adopted, circumcised of the heart, regenerated in the context of Matt 19:28, and given the new covenant. It is these adopted sons of God, now married to his Son, that is able to cry, My Father, for they are His daughters-in-law, married to His son, Jesus the man. Has not the soul and spirit already been begotten (in possession of the fruit of spirit) and now via the new covenant these bodies are placed in God’s manifested family by adoption, as the wife of His son Jesus (Jh 1:11)?

Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." I realize that this scripture, as well as the others have been used in the eternal sense rather than in a timely sense, but look at the context. We understand that those who are included in the new covenant adoption have been blessed much, yes even more that those to whom Paul refers to as having an advantage, being blessed with the oracles of God. When the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ extends his scepter to one of his bride and bids her to sup with him, it is indeed a heavenly place. This event being in the mind and purpose of the Thrice Holy God decreed before the foundation of the world, predestinating those he foreknew in a marriage covenant relationship unto his Son Jesus Christ, being only a portion of his children. The purpose of this adoption as well as those under the first covenant was to establish a kingdom here in time wherein his name should be glorified. How? By worshipping him in spirit and truth. This blessing hath came upon all those to whom he purposed to receive it. (2 Thess 2:13). Why, oh why have such poor mortals of this world been so blessed, yes even one such as I? We must confess, because it was his good pleasure. Oh! What wondrous love is this that he would love and bless one such as we, and from time to time allow us to dine with our blessed Husband. Come and dine is his admonition to those who are called to the wedding feast.

Conclusion: Every man is made up of three elements: first the body, having been contaminated with sin by the fall of Adam, will decay and die; second the soul which is eternal will never decay and third the spirit which is the intellectual part of man, making a duel man; that is, he can have both spiritual intellect, and natural intellect. This is defined in the fifth chapter of Galatians as the fruit of the spirit and the works of the flesh. Paul speaks of this duality of man in the seventh chapter if Romans. See also 1 Cor 2:7 "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world (2 Thes 2:13) unto our glory. (vs 10) … the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (vs13) … not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. (14) … the natural man’s (intellect) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (vs16) … we have the mind of Christ." 1 John 5:4 "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." The mind of Christ is this faith that we have to expand upon just as a newborn baby. After the new covenant faith is dealt unto those chosen from the beginning, we are to add unto it. 2 Peter 1:3 "According as his divine power (Acts 2) hath given unto us all things (1 Jh 2:20, Rom 8:28) that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" (found in the promise of Gal 3:29, which those in chapter eleven of Heb ‘vs 15’ did not have. ~ Gal 3:23): that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature (1 Jh 3:8), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The election found herein is not talking about all of God’s children but only those which have been added unto the church (Act 2:40). They are also the ones spoken of in Hos 2:19 as the betrothed bride of Jesus the man, and called the bride of Christ as the called (Mt 22:14) out and given the unction of the Holy One. Ps 16:10, Act 2:27. 3:12, 13:35, 1 Jh 2:20 defines Him as the humanity part of God not the eternal part. The chosen of Matthew Twenty-two are those whom God has, so to speak, put bits in their mouths and will turn them about as defined in Isa 37:29, 1:9, and Rom 9:29, which make up the nucleus of the church and will remain until time is no more. Allen cook 10/6/2006

Two witnesses

Deut 32:9
For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of the inheritance.
Up until the time of Abram, God had maintained to truth through the priesthood of the lineage of (Seth Gen 4:26; -> Shem 14:18) One should notice how God builds upon previous events such as Gen 1:2 bringing order from chaos, light from darkness. As Seth and his descendants continued in the dim light, which was afforded them by the limited providence of God, (with out an established law - Rom 5:13) having only the fruit of the spirit to guide them as a moral code discerning good from evil.
By the time of Noah wickedness was great in the earth and every thought of man heart was only continually evil. (Gen 6:5) Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Remember that grace is not based upon the actions of Noah, but that of God. Yes, to preserve the truth in the earth, God in his sovereignty established in Noah a will and a to do of his good pleasure. This is the work of God that ye believe. (Jh 6:29) This principle holds true with only a few chosen men since the beginning of man. From the time of Noah, Shem and his great grand son Eber carried the knowledge of God in, the Hebrew language, a limited sense until God visited Abram at the age of seventy-five. Most of mankind, before the giving of the law in stone, was without God (Eph 2:12), having no guide save the fruit of the spirit (Ga 5:22, Rm 5:13, Ac 17:30).
The old covenant was give unto only a portion (Du 32:9) of the children of God, and Jacob became symbolic, and ensample of this inheritance, that is God in his sovereignty would chose out a small portion of his people to establish truth in the earth. (Isa 43:10). This was accomplished through Gods’ sovereign choice of the son of an idol maker, by the name of Abram. First through his providential care and direct communication with Abram, establishing in him the faith of our fathers’. God’s call to Abram first at Ur, when he was about the age of 40, and again at the age of seventy-five, while he dwelt in the land of his father. (Haran, of Syria – Gen 12:1; Acts 7:4)
This last call to Abram began the long journey of some fifty-five years. By this time God would have established with Abraham a belief that if he took his own sons’, Isaac life, now over thirty years old, that God would restore it again unto him. (Gen 22:8) It is here that the first gleam of light would come to the question ask by Job in 9:1, "I know it is of the truth: but how should man be just before God."
God calls Abram in Haran of Syria, at the age of seventy-five, after the death of his father. Abram was called unto the land of Canaan, with a promise by God that his children would inherit this land, but it would be four hundred and seventy years (430 Ga 3:17 + 40 wilderness) until the iniquity of the Amorites was filled up, (Gen 15:16) before they would possess it. Abraham and Isaac only sojourn here until their death, and Jacob for one hundred and thirty years of his life (Gen 47:9; Ex 14:41; Heb 11:9; Deut 5:3). At the weaning of Isaac (Gen 21:8), Ishmael begin to mock his half brother Isaac. This affliction of Isaac and his seed would continue until they were delivered from Egypt four hundred years later. Their stay in Egypt would be two hundred and fifteen years: for four generations (Gen 15:13; Ex 6:16-20). Levi went in, Aaron can out.
At mount Sinai, God would give in addition to the moral law (fruit of the spirit) a portion of his people (Deut 32:9) a marriage covenant (Jer 31:32) which would define their responsibilities to their husband, Jehovah. This covenant would also define God, as the ‘I AM’. These special chosen people (Deut 7:6) would also be given many physical miracles by God to establish their belief in Him (Nu 14:22), and become a witness in the earth (Acts 14:15). These sign would become a way of life with these people (Mt 16:4). God would suffer the other nations (Gentiles) to walk in their own way (Acts 14:16, 17:23).
The two witness during the ministry of Jesus would be his works (Jh 5:36), and the preaching of the word by Jesus (Lk 4:18). On the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost administered the new covenant faith to those chose before of God, giving them a more sure witness to the little flock (Lk 12:32: Jh 14:13). By seventy AD the sign gifts would come to an end and the cannons would be completed. Thereafter the two witness to the truth would be the writing of the law in the heart (1 Pet 1:25), which by the gospel is preached (1 Pet 1:25)
Allen 10/14/07

Eternal/eternity

Eternal/Eternity

Our attempt herein will be to establish a meaning of eternal life as defined by the scriptures in John 17:2 ~ "He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." It says here very plainly that the Father gave Jesus the power to give eternal life to as many as he hast given him. Question? Did the Father give the eternal life in this context to all of his children? If so all of those to whom the Father gave his Son must not only know who God is, but also who He is; that is, this God is truly the very God and creator. It goes further and states that one who is in possession of this eternal life must further know his son, Jesus Christ. This same Greek word (1097) is also used in Mt 1:25 showing the sense of a marital relationship. Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:1 "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." There are many of God’s children who believe in a god as a supreme entity, yet do not know Jesus as defined in Jh 17:3. When God the Father has betrothed (Hos 2:19) one unto his Son through the dealt faith of the new covenant, it brings about this type of knowledge, then and only then is one enabled, from the heart, to know Christ as defined in John 17:3.

We find only three places in the Old Testament where these two words are used. It is my understanding that the words are used to describe the eternal God Head as he dwells with those of his people who are of a broken and contrite spirit. First (the Father) in the Tabernacle and Temple service under the old covenant, then during his (Son) ministry here upon the earth while yet under the old covenant, and after the day of Pentecost under the new covenant with the (Holy Ghost) Comforter.

Isa 57:15 "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." The high and lofty place is describing his dwelling place here on earth as well as his throne in heaven. We also realize that these three are eternal in their coexistence. Here in time we are told that only a few of his children will be blessed to enjoy a position of this inheritance with their Husband. Though many will be called to this relationship, only a few will abide therein. Deut 7:6; Luke 12:32. Yes, those that wait upon their Lord shall enjoy the blessings of dwelling with him here in time. We see in Numbers chapter fourteen, how only two (Joshua and Caleb) were privileged to enter in this fellowship. We read in Luke 12 where the five wise were granted permission to enter in. We will also see, as we study farther, that these few whom he has called to the wedding feast are given excess to this eternal life here in time. Also for those called, if they continue to abide in him (1 Jh 2:27) will receive the benefits of this eternal life while they sojourn here in time.

Deut 33:26 "There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun…The eternal God is thy refuge." It is my understanding that this refuge is here in time, and was granted to those under the first covenant. If these waited upon their God, they would continue in this refuge. This is also true of the new covenant church in this age. The word Jeshurun is translated several ways and all indicate that it is to the upright. In other words, God honors those of his children that are of a contrite and broken spirit.

Isa 60:3 "The Gentiles shall come to thy light, … the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee,… the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee… the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, … to bring thy sons from far, … unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee… In my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, … For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. (Dan 2:44 ‘And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever’.) the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."

Here in Isa 60:3, we find that God will make thee (the called out assembly) an eternal excellency, and a joy of (not for) many generations. Yes, they are a blessed generation among the nations or generations. As you can see I have quoted Dan 2:44 to show that this is speaking of those under the new covenant. For about four hundred years, a prophet had (so to speak) forsaken Judah, for their Husband (God the Father) had not spoken to them during this time.

From the above, (that is, from all that was spoken about it in the Old Testament), we can now undertake to show how the word is applied in the New Testament. It first appears in Matt 19:16 "…what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" I have tried to make this a positional text all of my life, but consider the context. Jesus is telling this young ruler how he can enter into this eternal life. I am not saying how he is to become a child of God, but how he is to (verse 17) "enter into this life, by keeping the commandments." As John 1:11 tells us, we can become the sons of God in a manifested sense. Yes, those who have been called and sanctified (1 Thess 2:13): can by the new covenant, exercise the truth received by the anointing of the Holy One, (John 14:16; 16:7-12; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:20,27) and enter into the abundant life, herein called eternal life.

We find the same lesson taught in Mark 10:17 ~ "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in (the church kingdom) heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into (take possession of) this eternal life." The children of Israel were told to possess the land; look at Dan 7:22. ~ ‘Judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom of God!" (Look how the words in you is used in Mk 11:21; Lk 10:13; John 5:38,42; 6:53; 8:37; 14:17,20; 15:4,7,11). "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" And likewise in Luke 10:25 ~ ‘what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ Who? He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Again, Luke 18:18 ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life? … when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!’ One should be able to see from these verses how one who has been given the ability via the giving of the fundamental doctrines found in the new covenant dealt faith (Rom 12:3), must possess the land or kingdom, selling all to possess the kingdom. This truth comes in tables of stone under the old covenant and by Jesus himself during his ministry and now during the grace age by the new covenants written in the fleshly tables of our hearts. (Rom 2:14; Heb 9:13; 2 Cor 3:3) All by Grace, therefore God receives all honor, glory, and praise. (Rom 11:6; 1 Cor 15:10 "by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Paul is telling us that he laboured (Gal 4:19) with those to whom God had already worked in. (Phil 2:14). I know if there is any good in me that it is by the grace of a merciful God. Yet I am made to wonder, if "his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain" for it seems at times that I have failed so miserably in using this wonderful gift that God has bestowed upon me.

This same lesson is again repeated in Matt 19:22 ~ "he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven… Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible… ‘Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration [giving of the New Covenant, the seed (if ye be in Christ – Gal 3:29; 1 Jh 3:9) of the New Testament Church] when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel… Many that are first (Jews) shall be last and the last (Gentiles) shall be first." We all understand that Matt 19:28 is teaching about the new covenant church as it is brought out from under the law service. It appears that we just have not made it fit the context of the balance of Matt 19. We read in Rom 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

We come to a very controversial scripture here in Matt 25:46 "these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Those who follow after the false doctrine of perseverance hang their hats on this verse. The question may arise in my explanation of this verse…. Do you believe in an eternal hell, where those who are not children of God will suffer forever and forever? I say with a BIG resounding YES…. There is a place in which none of God’s children will have to suffer. I understand by the scriptures that God has paid the debt in full, therefore none of his children will be sent there. I also understand that this place can be described as a place of total darkness or isolation, with the sensation of a continual falling (black hole) as in the bottomless pit and in total pain. This is in contrast to eternal bliss, where there will be total light, on the solid foundation of Jesus our LORD, without pain.

What is the meaning of this scripture then, if it is dealing with a timely punishment and an entering in of eternal life for the righteous? We find in Gen 49:16 the prophesy of Dan. Just who is Dan? In Rev Chapter Seven when the twelve tribes are numbered (representing the church) Dan and Ephraim are not present. Look at his prophecy in Gen 49:16 "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD." It is my understanding that this is speaking of the same ones in John 8:50 "…there is one that seeketh and judgeth." They are also spoken of in Matt 23:33 ~ "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and ye shall kill and crucify; and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias." Deut 32:36 ~…’the LORD shall judge his people’, and again Heb 10:30 ~ ‘we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.’

Is not the judgment here concerning those of his people who (Heb 10:29) 'hath counted the blood of the (new) covenant, wherewith they was sanctified, (2 Thess 2:13) an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit (Holy Ghost, which has give ye the unction. 1 John 2:20) of grace?' Even though this time setting is with his chosen people, the Jewish nation, who had rejected Him (Luke 7:30), it can and does apply to those among us who are doing the same thing today. They have known and preached the glorious gospel to many of the saints, but through pride have exalted themselves as did Hymenaeus and Alexander, which have made shipwreck of the faith of some, blaspheme or denying that which they know as truth (Heb 6:4, 10:29). This leads us into another very controversial text in Mark 3:29 "…he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: ..in this world (law age) and in the world (gospel age) to come eternal life. But many that are first (Jews) shall be last; and the last (Gentiles) first." Again as stated above there is an eternal separation from God of those who are not his people to a place prepared for the devil and his angels. This text is not speaking of this place. Moses everlasting lost the blessing of the kingdom (Canaan) for not sanctifying God, age without end. Again it is a judgment upon those of his who have rejected the council against them (Matt 21:32); that is, they knew him (John 6:14; 7:28 "Ye both know me, and ye know whence I Am.") and denied it, therefore they committed the sin unto death. 1 John 5:17; Num. 15:30 "…the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD." God had been longsuffering with these people and had given them every opportunity to repent. (See Randy Dillon’s ‘Kingdom of God’s - Law to Grace’) Acts 13:46 "…seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting (eternal) life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Same Greek word used in Mark 3:29 "…in danger of eternal damnation." Yes, "it had (2 Peter 2:21) been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." This is not just disobedient children of God; but is as Ephraim, which is described in hos 7:1 "Ephraim was discovered, for they commit falsehood; (Heb 6:4) and the thief cometh in, (John 10:10 ~ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… and the troop of robbers spoileth without. And they consider not in their hearts (having understanding) that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. Ephraim is a cake not turned." Question? Could he have been turned? Yes, but their stubborn, rebellious, proud hearts would not be humbled. Again this is an example of those who have left the truth. See Rev 3:21 "I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not." After the space was ended he then did as he told the Jews in John 12:39 "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth (confesseth) on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." This judgment, Jesus’ word, came upon those Jews which Jesus had came to in John 1:11 in the last day (70 AD). It is the fulfillment of Deut Chapter 28. Again it is the sin unto an everlasting (Heb 6:4) death spoken of in 1 John 5:17.

Again we read in Matt 21:32 "John came unto you in the way of righteousness, (truth) and ye believed him not: when ye had seen it, repented (confessed) not afterward, that ye might believe him." After they had seen the truth and failed to make this (believed) manifested he blinded them… John 12:40 "He blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." Also in Mark 4:12 "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." This is the too-late doctrine of unbelief, (1 John 5:17), as did the children who died in their sins in the wilderness. Num 27:3 also see John 8:24. The scriptures time and again warn those who know the truth, ‘be careful’ for God was a jealous God with his wife (Judah), and likewise, Jesus is also with his bride.

The scriptures in John 3:14,15 are another which we as Old Baptists have been schooled in all our lives as a positional text, "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." If we stay with the context of verse 14, we must put this verse in a time frame along with the lesson taught in Num. 21:9. ~ "A serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, (they now see and feel their depravity) when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." We all know this is a timely text, likewise so is the one found in 1 John 2:25. The eternal life under consideration here is the same as the above lessons on the subject. It is the abiding of this (Jesus, which is) eternal life in the disciple of Jesus. Also see Rom 2:6 and many others which speak of the eternal life which one who has been given the new covenant can abide in.

John 4:35 "Lift up your 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 entered into their labours." This to me is very plain in that it speaks of the blessing one receives as an obedient disciple of Jesus.

John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they, which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life (for you already have life as a child of God). I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." Jesus is speaking to some of his own in whom it is said, "He came to his own." in John 1:11. One must be in possession of life before he can be blessed to receive the life under consideration here. The Jews were children of God, but failed to understand that this eternal life (which abides in you) does not come by the keeping of the old law, but by loving God and their neighbor, who they were unwilling to do for it did not fit their agenda. They were too proud of a people, as many today that have been blessed with the truth and have turned to their own agenda.

John 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day…to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Jesus is said to be the Word of God and he that desires his word more than his necessary food is eating and drinking of Him. In doing so, they have the Word (eternal life) abiding in them.

John 10:28 "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Yes, the remnant of Rom 9:29, 11:4, which the Father gave to his Son are kept by his power (Ps 110:3) and will persevere in the faith until death. If this were not so, then there would be no church when he comes again…for he must be the keeper of it, and through a small remnant of men he has given the unction of the Holy One, working in them the will and the to do. This also has, within the timely context, a greater and deeper meaning; that is, that all of the children of God are preserved in him and none will be eternally cast away, but contextually it speaks of a timely lesson. (Eph 6:18)

John 12:25 "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." How could this be any other than a timely conditional text? Only a few of God’s children can fit into this context. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth to (eternal) life here in time, and few be that enters into it.

John 17:2 "Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." Under the old covenant, he also had a small remnant, which he chose to bear witness of the truth. Isa 43:10 "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he." What is it they know? The basic truth (Rom 8:28,29) of the Grand Old Church. He has finished the work of atonement for all of his people. Many of his children do not know this, for they are still going about in an attempt to complete it for themselves by the many diverse types of the works systems of the worldly churches.

Acts 13:48 "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed". Why is this so hard for us to believe, who know the completed work of Christ, that God has ordained a portion of his people to know the truth by writing the new covenant in our hearts? This does not tell us that in every case those that were ordained to this end will make this belief manifested in their walk as disciples, yet all that are ordained to this eternal life will believe, by the two witnesses (dealt faith and preached word) whether they make it manifested or not. It does confirm that there is a portion of His children that He has ordained to know the truth, whether they ever confess to this knowledge or not. Shall their refusal to make manifest this truth make the faith (new covenant) in which he has dealt to them in Rom 12:4, of no effect? God forbid. (Rom 3:3)

Rom 1:20 "Even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." This seems so plain to me….these Jews knew God in truth and glorified him not. Math 21:30, Luke 7:32, and John 9:41 ~ These verses tells us that the Pharisees knew him, yet justified him not in their actions.

Rom 2:7 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." Those that have the ability to seek him in truth, via the new covenant, and do so will have this eternal life abiding in them. 1 John Chapter Two…

Rom 5:21 "As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 11:6 tells us that those in the remnant are there by grace. Yes, it is through faith of (not in) Jesus Christ, and this by the giving of the new covenant faith, that grace will reign in the hearts of those who, by seeking his face, and walking in his commandments.

Rom 6:22 "Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 7:9 "I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." Paul is telling us that he, as a Jew, was set free from the Semitic law, by the death of the husband (2 Cor 2:19; Rom 7:4) and giving of the new covenant (Gal 1:15) to become the servant to God. Paul was made to realize at this time that he was not his own, but was bought with the precious blood of his Husband the LORD Jesus Christ; that this gift of eternal life which Paul possessed was even Christ which did abide in him. The spirit meanwhile did testify Rom 8:16 ~ 'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we have this eternal life abiding in us.'

2 Cor 4:17 ~ "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." It is this glory that we are enabled to see through the eye of faith, that gives us the courage to continue the good fight of faith. Yes, we are made, by the dealt faith of the new covenant, to see his blessed truths (as this eternal life is abiding in us), that this world is not our home, for we as Abraham look for a city not made with hands, eternally in heaven with our LORD. Therefore these light afflictions do indeed work in us the ability to experience, while we live in this low ground of sin and sorrow, a far greater taste of his glory as we are permitted to enter into his chamber and sup with him from time to time. I also realize that farther down the road there awaits a place called eternity, which we look for, that city made by God.

2 Cor 5:1 "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This speaks of the blessed home, in which we long for, as we abide in him, waiting to be clothed upon with that body, which knows no decay. I do understand the eternal glory that awaits us after this time-world is no longer, but while we sojourn here in this time world I need to find that place I can commune with my Husband, The Eternal.

Eph 3:10 "That now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." Those to whom the truth has been made known, via the working of the dealt faith of the new covenant in their hearts, have access by this covenant into the knowledge of his eternal purpose as we sojourn in this time world. This is manifested through the faith once delivered to the saints, whereby we know that ‘The Eternal’ does indeed abide in us.

1 Tim 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." How can one not see this is here in time? We are instructed to hold onto it less we let it slip and become a castaway; cast out of the fellowship of our LORD, and from the called out assembly. Oh that I would hold onto it, for it is all that this life has to offer. Without it there would be NO life at all!

1 Tim 6:19 ~ "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust." Same as the above…we must hold onto our blessed Husband, and the truth is in him, lest he close the door as he did the five foolish virgins. As the apostles answered him on one occasion, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.’ John 6:38

2 Tim 2:10 ~ "I endure all things for the elect's sakes that they may also obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." Paul has suffered many things for the elect’s sake and was able from time to time to enter into this eternal glory, as we also do today, and sup with him on the drippings of the beautiful gospel of our salvation. O’ LORD help us to have and hold on to you until death do we part.

Titus 1:1 "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." Here we hear the apostle tell us how we, through the knowledge of the truth, experience this hope of eternal life as we travel this uncertain journey of life. This fits with the definition of the faith defined in Heb 11:1 "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Yes faith is made up of the very substance of the things we hope for, which is eternal life. When this faith (eternal life) is abiding in us, we are made to rejoice in this hope. O’ what joy do we experience in our LORD, as we are permitted from time to time to enter his chamber and sup with him?

Titus 3:4 "after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." This one may cut across the grain on some of those who have placed this scripture as the beginning of every child of God’s life from the fallen nature of Adam. May we consider a thought a little off the beaten path? We are herein made heirs of eternal life by the washing of regeneration. Right?

Gal 3:7 "They that are of faith, (what faith? Is it not gospel faith?), the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through not by faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they, which be of the gospel faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them." Could this regeneration be considered in light of Matt 19:28 as the generation found in Isa 53:8 and Ps 22:30?

Heb 5:9 "He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." The beginning of this salvation was dealt unto one that he may believe and obey, and in the obedience, they give evidence that one has been dealt the eternal life of 1 John 2:25. I realize that this gives those who obey an assurance of their sonship, and is the finisher of this faith. This eternal life is abiding in them that obey, but they can fail in this by not obeying and lose the blessings found therein in this time world. Be assured it is not talking about sonship, which is sure to all of his children, but discipleship which can be lost.

Heb 9:12 "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us… How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? … for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." We are made to know this is atonement blood under consideration, as it was applied in the Holy of Holies. In as much then that we have been redeemed by his blood and are now in possession of eternal life, we of the called might receive the promise (if indeed we abide in the calling) of this eternal inheritance while we sojourn in this time world.

1 Peter 5:10 "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." Those of his children who have been called unto his eternal glory now are able, after they have learned patience through suffering, are made perfect in obedience, having then been established in the doctrines of Christ, and are strengthened and settled in their discipleship.

1 John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Again this is the abiding of eternal life in this time world. This eternal life cannot abide in us if we are holding ought against one who is our brother in the church.

1 John 5:11 "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have (present perfect) eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God… we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." The life that we have in the Son (our Husband) is in this time world, wherein we have the understanding of the truth, and as the verse above states, we can lose the abiding of this eternal life if we have ought against one of the saints: or as those who have left the truth, having forgotten wherewith they were purged and gone after other gods.

Jude 7 ~ "Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Verse 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Herein we have the moral sins, which causes one to whom the inheritance of the eternal life has been given in time, to fall from the blessings of it and cast into outer darkness. Oh! What a sad state this is for one who has been so blessed with the truth.

John 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. … (Hosea 6:3) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. (Jer 31:31) Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (This is passive understanding in that it is the Lord that adds one to the church -Acts2: 47) Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (This belief is passive the same as the understanding. One does not chose to believe or not believe. The evidence presented creates the belief in an individual. To act upon this evidence is active, but to act upon the belief one must first have the belief) I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die." The living and dying is to the fellowship of the saints. This entire teaching of the Sixth Chapter of John is dealing with true discipleship and not sonship. Those teaching perseverance from this scripture make them an eternal text. I know we have always been taught these to be positional texts, but please take another look at them. The position to believe is unconditional, but to maintain the relationship with our Husband and the saints, one must keep the new covenant principal just as those under the old covenant did.

John 17:1 "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them, which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them." This is eternal life. They might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ. Question ~ do all the children of God know Jesus Christ? In what way do we know The Saviour, the Anointed of God? Heb 10:9 "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Heb 8:10 "This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, … a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." 1 John 2:21 ~ "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it." Yes, those to whom he has chosen, 1 Peter 2:9 ~ "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Col 1:12 ~ "Hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness (of the law), and hath translated (not transported but made to understand) us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

2 Thess 2:13 "Hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."

Predestinate

The Greek word (proorizo) used to translate the different words is found in the following verses. It you will, notice where it is that he predestinated them unto (Eph 1:5). not to eternal glory but unto adoption. We also find in 1 Pt 2:8 that some stumbled at the word, being disobedient where unto they were appointed. This is not saying that God was the cause of their disobedience, only that as Adam, when left to their own wisdom they were disobedient.

Acts 4:26 "The rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders (Nu 14:22, Jh 14:11) may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." Herein we have the Jewish rulers who were not only gathered against his Christ (The Anointed) but the Lord God himself (2 Cor 5:19). Yes it was the LORD himself (Gen 22:8), their Husband, (Jer 31:32) that they were rebelling against. Peter tells us in 1:2:8 that they stumbled at the word, being disobedient, whereunto they were appointed. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 2:4 below, this was a hidden mystery, for only those called unto the truth could understand (Mt 13:8). After much long-suffering God simply cut off his protection from them, and allowed them to follow after their own depraved nature. This should stand as a warning for us who are given this mystery, for we too can be cut off (Rm 11:21) from his protecting hand.

Rom 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." This lesson is unto those God purposed to call. The question is called unto what? We find in Matthew 22:14 that there are many called but few chosen as it speaks of the wedding feast. It then goes on to tell us the purpose, for the ‘we’ under consideration is to be conformed to his image. We are told (Hos 2:3) that the children of Israel will be stripped naked as in the day they were born, and shall abide without this image (Hos 3:4). In Malachi 3:3 we are told that there will come a time (new covenant age 2:4-6) wherein he will refine Levi as the priest spoken of in 1 Peter 2:9. Rom 1:17 ‘For therein (gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ Yes it is only those who have been justified (gospelly - 2 Cor 2:13) that are enabled to receive the gospel, and thereby shall live by the faith generated through the dealt faith. When one prepares themselves by seeking the oil and trimming their lamps, are they perhaps bid unto the wedding feast, there to be glorified with their blessed Husband, Jesus. It is therein that Jesus is called the firstborn among the brethren (Rm 8:29). In this glorified position we are freely given the ‘all things’. In this blessed position no one can bring a charge against us, the elect. Looking at this conformity to his image further we find in (2 Cor 3:15-18) which reads, ‘when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (Heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’

1 Cor 2:4 "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." What was it that God ordained (purposed to bring about) before the world unto our glory? Is it not that which was shut up unto them (Ga 3:23)? That is the law of faith (Rm 3:27), which reveals the mystery that Job wondered about (Job 9:1)? The work systems of the world are still unsure how they are, or must be just before God (Hb 2:15). They have devised many means whereby they conclude they can be just, but all are after the flesh just as the law was (Ga 4:24). Therefore they fail in their efforts.

Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." Where is it that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings? Does it not say ‘in heavenly places’? Are not these heavenly places in the upper room, or kingdom, wherein we are permitted to sup, dine with our blessed Husband? It is my understanding that the Father purposed to betroth (Hos 2:19) unto his son, Jesus, a bride before the world begun, that the truth would be manifested by her here in this time world. He chose unto himself a wife, and this by design before the world began to be the witness (Is 43:10) of the true ‘I AM’. How is it that we can stand holy and without blame before him in love? Is it not because he hath spread his wedding garment (Mt 22:11) over us as Jehovah did His firstborn (Ex 12:7,17, Nu 3:13). These became the redemptive price to cover the Levites (Nu 3:41) which are typed as the bride of Jesus in Malachi 3:3 wherein they are purified as silver. It was The Father’s good pleasure to chose out remnants and purge her from the dead works of the law to serve the living God, Jesus (Hb 9:14), while they sojourned here in this time world. This all was accomplished that we should be to the praise of his glory (Jh 17:22,24), having so glorified us that we now are able to trust in him after we have heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Having thus manifested this belief we are then sealed (Eph 1:13, 4:30) with the Holy Spirit of promise (Jh 16:13), and can not be deceived (Mt 24:24). This sealing is the earnest of our eternal inheritance. O’ what a blessing we have been given as the beloved of our husband Jesus. Praise his Holy Name!!!!

Isaiah 65

Isa 65:1 - "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name." He leaves us with out doubt to who he is speaking of here. Paul quotes this and Du 32:19-21 in Rm 10:19-21, speaking of the Gentiles.

Vs 2 "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; a people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day." Yes his own (Jh 1:10) to whom he came had provoked him to anger as recorded here in verse three. In Romans 9:22, we find that with these people he had spread out his hand all day long, now to make known his sovereign power, ‘endured with much long suffering (these) vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.’ Having established his sovereignty and the depravity of man, he them turns to the Gentiles ‘to make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory (Rm 9:23).’ God had purposed before the foundation of the world to establish his truth, here in time with [numphe] his son’s wife/bride (Ep 1:4) in Christ. What is it to be in Christ? (Gal 3:29) ‘If you be in Christ then are ye Abraham’s seed (which is Christ and his seed Rm 4:16, 9:8 Ga 3:19), and heirs according to the promise.’ This is the promise he made with Abraham (Ga 3:17), not the old land of Canaan, but the New Canaan, the Church of the living God.

Vs 6 "Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom." What is meant by: ‘it is written before me?’ I ask, does this not involve the purpose in the council halls, by the Thrice Holy God before Genesis one? According to Romans 9:17 he raised up Pharaoh for the purpose of showing his sovereignty, by saying ‘who art thou that repliest against God’. Apparently he also raised up natural Israel for this same purpose according to verses 21-22. He had endured with much long suffering with the vessels (his own Jh 1:11) fitted to destruction, having appointed them unto disobedience (1 Pt 2:8). We need to be careful less we go to far and make God the author of sin. God only needs to let man take his own depraved natural course. He tells us why in verse 23, that he may make known the riches of his glory on the vessels (Gentiles) of mercy, which he had afore (before Ge 1:1) prepared unto glory. This glory is that, which we have with our blessed Husband in the upper room (Mt 19:28, 25:31, Jh 17:22, Rm 2:7,10, 1 Co 2:7, 1 Th 2:12). I also read in Rm 8:16 the mind of Christ (2 Cor 2:16 - new covenant) bears witness with our spirit (mind) that we are the children of God. Having the mind of Christ in us, we then are declared to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Having been positioned thus, if we suffer with him we may be glorified with him in the upper room. Notice it doe not say we will, but we may if we do as little Esther 14:14, 5:2. Isaiah, having laid the foundation, then he tells us in the next verse:

Vs 8 "Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me." The servants are the same as the fathers sakes in Rm 11:28. Why, because (vs 29) the gifts and calling are without repentance. Here we see the seed is both out of Jacob (Israel) and Judah (Jesus). What is the cluster and the new wine found in Jacob (Israel) and Judah (Jesus)? Once the new wine (gospel church) is removed from the cluster (Israel), the remains of the cluster (Jews) is destroyed (70AD). Sharon is the little flock of Lk 12:32 which is in the valley of trouble, a place for his chosen (Mt 20:16, 22:14) disciples to assembly.

Vs 11 "But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not." When he called they did not answer (Jh 1:11). Under the old law, which was after the flesh (Ga 4:23), they were led not by faith, but by the sign and wonders (Nu 14:22) given by God through the Holy Prophets. The Lord had not sent them a Prophet unto them in over four hundred hears, therefore, having no signs, they had forsaken the Lord and his holy mountain, and corrupted the laws of God. This was in the mind and purpose of God, to show the depravity of man. When their depravity had filled up their iniquity, he sent his Son to cut off their iniquity (Ga 4:4) as he had the Amorites (Ge 15:16).

Vs 13 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit." The servants are those who by the grace of God (1 Cor 15:10): are given the robe of righteousness (Mt 22:14), whereby they hunger and thirst after his righteousness (Mt 5:6). Those that have not the wedding garment on will be cast into outer darkness (Mt 22:13), having stumbled at the word, being disobedient, where unto they were appointed (1 Pt 1:9). Again I repeat, we need to be careful lest we make God the author of their disobedience. They failed because of the weakness of the law (Hb 7:18) which was after the flesh (Ga 4:24), as it was designed to show the inability (Hb 10:3) of depraved man to keep. All that God needs to do in order to show the depravity of man is to remove his divine protective power (Nu 14:18). Outward sign and wonders were the only motivation for those under the old law (Mt 8:12). They lived by sight, not faith, for they sought it not by faith, but by the works of the law (Rm 9:32, Ga 3:10).

Vs 15 "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes." These two verses are defining the changing from the law to grace. Under the old they were known as Israelites, now spiritual Israel is know as ‘The Baptist’ (Lk 1:13, 7:28) who came in the way of (truth), righteousness (Mt 21:32). The Jews (work systems), since the fall of Jerusalem, has been as a curse unto the chosen, while those blessed to be in ‘The Baptist’ Church are blessed with the truth. Yes, God turned from the Jewish law worshippers as it were to hide his eyes from them in all their troubles. These troubles are hid from God’s eye, not the saints, as some would tell us.

Vs 17 "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." While ignoring the previous verses, which to me speak of the changing of the guard of truth, some will contend that this is talking about eternal heaven, saying the saints would be devoid of painful memories. The statement, ‘the former shall not be remembered, not come into (God’s) mind’, is talking about the old heaven and earth, not being void of painful memories for the child of God. Natural Israel, [old heaven - H of H, and old earth - outer court] held the responsibilities of maintaining the truth under the old covenant (Is 43:10). The new heaven is the bride’s chamber, upper room, and new earth is the assembly of the saints (Hb 12:23) is now the guard of truth. Some would say that Hebrews here is talking of eternal glory, yet verse 25 would negate the thought, lest we find works involved in our eternal deliverance.

Vs 18 "But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." If one desires to know where this joy is to be found just read the letter to the Philippians, for it speaks of this joy and rejoicing among the saints within the church. The true disciple should not sorrow as others for they have the assurance of our salvation (1 Th 4:16). When we are permitted to enter into the bride’s chamber there to rejoice with our blessed Husband, all worldly cares are forgotten. Those yet in bondage to the works systems of the world stand in fear of the second death (Hb 2:15) and are weeping, having not entered into the blessed assurance as those who understand the truth.

Vs 20 "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child (of God) shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed." Today we see those in the church who are a hundred years old rejoicing in these blessed truths, while those who have turned from it, will die in their sins of unbelief (Jh 8:24) at an old age, in bondage and accursed. If this is eternal glory then what is meant by shall die? These old men (child of God) have filled ther days in the blessed kingdom of his Lord.

Vs 21 "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." We find in Daniel 2:44 that God has set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and the kingdom will not be left to other people, but as it travels west to the new Canaan, heaven and earth hell shall not prevail, prevent its progress (Mt 16:18). It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and shall stand forever. If this in eternal heaven, then we must conclude there is work to be done with their hands; while this is true here in this time world, as the disciple of Jesus Christ.

Vs 23 "They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them." The seed (Ps 22:30) is that of Jesus, typed in faithful Abraham (Ga 3:29). We see men as H. I. Bass, who labour not in vain, having brought up his family in the grand old church, and now over a hundred of his offspring are holding faithful to the truth.

Vs 24 "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." If this is not speaking of the bringing in of the Gentile church, then I am afraid that I have no ability to understand the word of God.

Vs 25 "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." The wolf is found in Isa 11:6 and again in Mt 7:15 in the negitive, but this a positive thought showing they cannot enter the bride’s chamber (Isa 33:21). The fox, lion, and serpent can get into the assembly only to deceive and divide. Isaiah continues in the next chapter to rebuke his own nation of Judah for their presumptuous sins, saying (4) ‘I will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them, because when called, none did answer…and chose that which I delight not.'

66:7 "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." It is my understanding that this is Judah, which brought forth Jesus.

Vs 8 "Who hath heard such a thing? …Shall the (old) earth be made to bring forth in one day, or shall a nation (spiritual Israel –Acts 2:47) be born at once? In my opinion this would be the day of Pentecost when the Lord added 3,000 unto the church. Vs 13 ‘so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in (new) Jerusalem.’ …(19) ‘and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles…(21)..I will take of them priests (1 Pt 2:9) for Levites.' In Malachi 2:5,6,7,15 he speaks of the hath purified the sons of Levi, and set them in new Jerusalem.

Allen Cook 12/19/09