Exhorted to move on from milk to meat it would seem almost senseless to be given more milk and not get any meat. We are given meat. The meat is delving DEEPER into the things of God.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath REVEALED them unto us by his SPIRIT: for the Spirit searcheth ALL things, yea, the DEEP things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man 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.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
If we don't receive the spirit which is of God we will NOT know the things that are freely given us of God. We need to learn in the words which the HOLY GHOST teaches- not the words of man's wisdom. Spiritual with spiritual- having the mind of Christ. We need to have God reveal to us by His Spirit- ALL THINGS, YES, the DEEP THINGS of GOD.
Going from the milk to the meat we continue on in Hebrews...
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum-
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
We have a High Priest in heaven.
We have a Minister of the Sanctuary in heaven.
We have a Minister of the TRUE tabernacle.
We have a Minister of the tabernacle which the LORD pitched not man.
We have a High Priest who offers- for this is what High Priests are ordained to do.
On earth He would NOT be a High Priest.
The Earth has the whole Priesthood- given prior to HIS arrival.
The earthly priests EXAMPLES of heavenly.
The earthly priests SHADOWS of heavenly.
The priests on earth do their duty as they were given it- the law dictating their actions- the law of God, the law of God's love.
The priests on earth were given a duty that pointed to the coming of the great HEAVENLY High Priest.
The priests on heaven were patterned after ALL things shown to Moses in the mount, examples of the heavenly, shadows of the heavenly.
When the example met reality, when the shadow met the reality- how much better is the reality?
This is a lot to digest spiritually. To treat it all offhandedly would be ignoring spiritual meat. To shrug this off as not being important is to denied ourselves spiritual sustenance.
People tend to believe that the Jewish sanctuary long destroyed leaving the Jewish people without their temple, without their sacrificial services was the end of it all. It wasn't. Think about it… would God create something so binding to HIS people only to simply end it? There is nothing simple about it. Every piece of furniture in the earthly sanctuary has a counterpart in the heavenly. Every piece of furniture in the sanctuaries has a meaning. The sacrificial system pointed to the Great Perfect Sacrifice. Yet there remains a Sanctuary in heaven where our High Priest dwells. That Sanctuary will remain until…
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, DESCENDING out of heaven from God…
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
NO temple in the great city, the holy Jerusalem that descends OUT of heaven from God.
The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it!
When all is said and done, that is when there will be no need of a temple, no need of a sanctuary or the services it portrays. All the work of salvation will have been completed entirely when that holy city descends out of heaven. Every single human being alive and dead will have been judged - some to eternal life, some to eternal death.
There is so much for us to study, to learn, to know and by the grace of God we'll do so.
Hebrews 8: 1-5
We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
So much to learn and learning takes time. I'm not rushing this study, I want to chew the meat I'm being given and eat my meal slowly getting as much from it as I possibly can.
By the grace of our Savior, by the mercy of our Lord, in His love and His righteousness may we see and not be blind, may we have faith to believe, may we cling to Christ and His righteousness forever!
Amen.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
May We Be Able to Stand
Eph 6:10-18 The Armor of God
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Prepared for Christ
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Kingdom of Heaven like--
Ten virgins. Pure, undefiled people of God.
Ten virgins with lamps moving towards the bridegroom- our Savior. We live our lives with the realization that Christ's second coming is what we are living for. We live with the hope of salvation found in our loving Savior. We live awaiting the day we will be joined with our Savior, the bridegroom and bride together at last.
All of these people have lamps to hold the oil which brings forth light.
All of these people have oil in their lamps to begin with and their lamps are burning as they wait.
Those waiting for their Savior prepare for His second coming.
Let's imagine--
You are invited to a wedding and the wedding is prepared so that you'll need to have a lamp with oil in it ready to meet the groom before he goes on into the wedding ceremony. You believe that you'll only need an hours worth of oil because logic tells you that the groom will be prompt. However you want to be ready to have your lamp burning longer just in case something happens to delay the groom so you bring extra oil. Half the people around you are of the same mind, but the other half just bring enough oil for the prearranged time for things to get under way. So there you all are with your burning lamps waiting, and waiting, the time comes and then passes. While waiting every one grows sleepy and eventually falls asleep. The lamps are still burning using up the oil in them. By the time the cry that the bridegroom is coming is given, waking everyone up, there is a rush to get your lamps filled and burning again. Of course those with foresight have extra oil, those who thought they had enough had none and desperately want your oil so they can go meet the bridegroom too. You can't give them your oil though or you won't have enough. You tell them to go and get more oil elsewhere.
We ALL have to be ready for Christ's second coming.
We all have to have lamps.
We all have to have oil in those lamps.
We all have to have extra oil for those lamps.
The reason for this parable is to show that some will be ready for Christ's second coming and others will not be ready. The wise and the foolish. The prepared and the unprepared. Those who think they are all prepared and find out later they are not. Those who wait till the last moment to try and get what they need to be ready, but won't be able to.
We want to be prepared and we believe if we can understand what the lamp and the oil is we will make sure we have that lamp and have extra oil for it.
Jesus is the light.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
As long as Jesus was in the world… He was the light of the world.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Holy Spirit comes to us, the Spirit of truth. The world CANNOT receive the Spirit of truth, or know HIM but we will know Him and He will dwell with us and in us.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The light of the world- JESUS.
The Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus.
Lamp and lights - enlightenment, knowledge of our Lord and Savior through His word… Jesus in the Word.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life
Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light we need is our Savior-the Word, the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life- and ALL of this is given to us through grace, the grace of our Savior.
We have to have Jesus in our lives- real, living, guiding, saving, loving, active, alive and we have to have Him and His grace ALWAYS. We can NEVER believe we can EVER on our own-- live. We can never expect to meet our Savior by our own means, our own devising. We have to have Christ with us ALWAYS not sporadically. We have to trust in His Righteousness, we have to trust in His grace, never in our own- we HAVE NONE. We need to believe, to have faith. We live here and now on earth with the promise of Christ living in us. We live here and now with the promised Comforter, the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We can all have the Holy Spirit.
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
To meet the Bridegroom when He comes we need to be prepared through love, His love. Our faith needs to be alive, our faith needs to be active, our walk with Christ needs to be something very real to us, a reality like no other.
All sleep.
All wake.
All have lamps.
Some have enough oil for those lamps.
Some don't have enough oil for those lamps.
Some go on to meet the Bridegroom.
Some who desperately want to meet the Bridegroom will not.
Some are ready.
Some are not ready.
Some will have Christ - a living belief, brightly burning by the grace of our Savior the Word made flesh, through the gift of the Holy Spirit all by our Lord's righteousness.
Some will have a living belief but that living belief will NOT last, for them it is only temporary, they will trust in their own righteousness not Christ's, they will not trust in the Lord forever and ever through all things.
Our Savior is the only thing that matters.
People speculate on what things mean all the time, but in the end, all the matters is the Love of our Savior and us having faith in Him always for All things.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
By His Love, by His Grace, through His Righteousness now and forever!
Amen.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Kingdom of Heaven like--
Ten virgins. Pure, undefiled people of God.
Ten virgins with lamps moving towards the bridegroom- our Savior. We live our lives with the realization that Christ's second coming is what we are living for. We live with the hope of salvation found in our loving Savior. We live awaiting the day we will be joined with our Savior, the bridegroom and bride together at last.
All of these people have lamps to hold the oil which brings forth light.
All of these people have oil in their lamps to begin with and their lamps are burning as they wait.
Those waiting for their Savior prepare for His second coming.
Let's imagine--
You are invited to a wedding and the wedding is prepared so that you'll need to have a lamp with oil in it ready to meet the groom before he goes on into the wedding ceremony. You believe that you'll only need an hours worth of oil because logic tells you that the groom will be prompt. However you want to be ready to have your lamp burning longer just in case something happens to delay the groom so you bring extra oil. Half the people around you are of the same mind, but the other half just bring enough oil for the prearranged time for things to get under way. So there you all are with your burning lamps waiting, and waiting, the time comes and then passes. While waiting every one grows sleepy and eventually falls asleep. The lamps are still burning using up the oil in them. By the time the cry that the bridegroom is coming is given, waking everyone up, there is a rush to get your lamps filled and burning again. Of course those with foresight have extra oil, those who thought they had enough had none and desperately want your oil so they can go meet the bridegroom too. You can't give them your oil though or you won't have enough. You tell them to go and get more oil elsewhere.
We ALL have to be ready for Christ's second coming.
We all have to have lamps.
We all have to have oil in those lamps.
We all have to have extra oil for those lamps.
The reason for this parable is to show that some will be ready for Christ's second coming and others will not be ready. The wise and the foolish. The prepared and the unprepared. Those who think they are all prepared and find out later they are not. Those who wait till the last moment to try and get what they need to be ready, but won't be able to.
We want to be prepared and we believe if we can understand what the lamp and the oil is we will make sure we have that lamp and have extra oil for it.
Jesus is the light.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
As long as Jesus was in the world… He was the light of the world.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Holy Spirit comes to us, the Spirit of truth. The world CANNOT receive the Spirit of truth, or know HIM but we will know Him and He will dwell with us and in us.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The light of the world- JESUS.
The Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus.
Lamp and lights - enlightenment, knowledge of our Lord and Savior through His word… Jesus in the Word.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life
Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light we need is our Savior-the Word, the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life- and ALL of this is given to us through grace, the grace of our Savior.
We have to have Jesus in our lives- real, living, guiding, saving, loving, active, alive and we have to have Him and His grace ALWAYS. We can NEVER believe we can EVER on our own-- live. We can never expect to meet our Savior by our own means, our own devising. We have to have Christ with us ALWAYS not sporadically. We have to trust in His Righteousness, we have to trust in His grace, never in our own- we HAVE NONE. We need to believe, to have faith. We live here and now on earth with the promise of Christ living in us. We live here and now with the promised Comforter, the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We can all have the Holy Spirit.
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
To meet the Bridegroom when He comes we need to be prepared through love, His love. Our faith needs to be alive, our faith needs to be active, our walk with Christ needs to be something very real to us, a reality like no other.
All sleep.
All wake.
All have lamps.
Some have enough oil for those lamps.
Some don't have enough oil for those lamps.
Some go on to meet the Bridegroom.
Some who desperately want to meet the Bridegroom will not.
Some are ready.
Some are not ready.
Some will have Christ - a living belief, brightly burning by the grace of our Savior the Word made flesh, through the gift of the Holy Spirit all by our Lord's righteousness.
Some will have a living belief but that living belief will NOT last, for them it is only temporary, they will trust in their own righteousness not Christ's, they will not trust in the Lord forever and ever through all things.
Our Savior is the only thing that matters.
People speculate on what things mean all the time, but in the end, all the matters is the Love of our Savior and us having faith in Him always for All things.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
By His Love, by His Grace, through His Righteousness now and forever!
Amen.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
This is the sum....
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
This is the sum.
We like when we reach the sum don't we? We like conclusions. We like to have things all wrapped up in neat little packages and sometimes we don't even mind having a pretty bow on top. To have the end product is ideal, isn't it? At the end of a story we want the ending to tie up all the loose ends. When we finish watching a movie we don't want to be left hanging, we want a satisfactory conclusion. We want to hear -even if it's only in our private thoughts- this sums it all up.
We hear these words right here in Heb. 8:1.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum.
We're going to condense this and give you the sum of it all…
'We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. '
We HAVE such a HIGH PRIEST.
This High Priest is SET on the right hand of the throne of the MAJESTY in the heavens.
A MINISTER of the SANCTUARY.
A minister of the TRUE TABERNACLE.
A minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the LORD PITCHED AND NOT MAN!
This is it, this is what we're telling you, listen…this says it all… we have a High Priest ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
People often make the mistake of stopping in their Christian walk after they learn the basics--
Our Savior was promised.
Our Savior was born.
Our Savior died.
Our Savior rose.
Our Savior lives.
We live through forgiveness of our Savior.
We will have eternal life through our Savior.
The End.
The milk of the gospel. The first principle oracles of God. Babes. Remember that?
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
People keep on suckling the milk never growing and people will be accountable for not maturing in Christ for not ever eating strong meat. It's all well and good to take the milk- but only as babes. We ought to be teachers, not be as those who need to be taught again. We ought to be hungry and eating the meat that is there for us to eat and some of this meat is going on to acknowledge that our Savior lives for us, and that He lives for us as our HIGH PRIEST in Heaven. A Minister in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Jesus did not go to heaven and sit down at the right hand of God becoming a permanent statue in the Heavenly museum housing God who sits there as well. We have a LIVING God, a LIVING Savior, a MINISTERING HIGH PRIEST! Our Savior is NOT a pretty portrait hung in the heavenly museum. He's not a magnificent sculpture cold and lifeless. Our Savior is alive and busy! Yes, busy. He is not bored upon the throne ho-humming while the years of our lives are ticked off. Our Savior lives for US, everyone that would have Him know them will be known by Him. Our Savior is just that… OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. We make much about having personal trainers, personal dieticians, personal physicians, personal advisors, all people that can be called on to do their jobs for us personally. We have a PERSONAL SAVIOR! Our personal Savior needs to be MORE real to us than any other person in our lives. We have to believe in Him as a reality! We need to stop being babes only feeding on the milk of the gospel never growing. We have to sink our teeth into the strong meat of the Word of God.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
We have to realize our Savior is our High Priest in a very real way. If you've never thought of your Savior as your High Priest, now is the time to start.
There is a lot more we are going to study on this, there is a lot of meat ready for us to eat. Our Savior would have us fully understand and by His grace, by His mercy, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the Righteousness of our Lord we will become the spiritual adults He would have us be.
Amen.
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
This is the sum.
We like when we reach the sum don't we? We like conclusions. We like to have things all wrapped up in neat little packages and sometimes we don't even mind having a pretty bow on top. To have the end product is ideal, isn't it? At the end of a story we want the ending to tie up all the loose ends. When we finish watching a movie we don't want to be left hanging, we want a satisfactory conclusion. We want to hear -even if it's only in our private thoughts- this sums it all up.
We hear these words right here in Heb. 8:1.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum.
We're going to condense this and give you the sum of it all…
'We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. '
We HAVE such a HIGH PRIEST.
This High Priest is SET on the right hand of the throne of the MAJESTY in the heavens.
A MINISTER of the SANCTUARY.
A minister of the TRUE TABERNACLE.
A minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the LORD PITCHED AND NOT MAN!
This is it, this is what we're telling you, listen…this says it all… we have a High Priest ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
People often make the mistake of stopping in their Christian walk after they learn the basics--
Our Savior was promised.
Our Savior was born.
Our Savior died.
Our Savior rose.
Our Savior lives.
We live through forgiveness of our Savior.
We will have eternal life through our Savior.
The End.
The milk of the gospel. The first principle oracles of God. Babes. Remember that?
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
People keep on suckling the milk never growing and people will be accountable for not maturing in Christ for not ever eating strong meat. It's all well and good to take the milk- but only as babes. We ought to be teachers, not be as those who need to be taught again. We ought to be hungry and eating the meat that is there for us to eat and some of this meat is going on to acknowledge that our Savior lives for us, and that He lives for us as our HIGH PRIEST in Heaven. A Minister in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Jesus did not go to heaven and sit down at the right hand of God becoming a permanent statue in the Heavenly museum housing God who sits there as well. We have a LIVING God, a LIVING Savior, a MINISTERING HIGH PRIEST! Our Savior is NOT a pretty portrait hung in the heavenly museum. He's not a magnificent sculpture cold and lifeless. Our Savior is alive and busy! Yes, busy. He is not bored upon the throne ho-humming while the years of our lives are ticked off. Our Savior lives for US, everyone that would have Him know them will be known by Him. Our Savior is just that… OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. We make much about having personal trainers, personal dieticians, personal physicians, personal advisors, all people that can be called on to do their jobs for us personally. We have a PERSONAL SAVIOR! Our personal Savior needs to be MORE real to us than any other person in our lives. We have to believe in Him as a reality! We need to stop being babes only feeding on the milk of the gospel never growing. We have to sink our teeth into the strong meat of the Word of God.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
We have to realize our Savior is our High Priest in a very real way. If you've never thought of your Savior as your High Priest, now is the time to start.
There is a lot more we are going to study on this, there is a lot of meat ready for us to eat. Our Savior would have us fully understand and by His grace, by His mercy, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the Righteousness of our Lord we will become the spiritual adults He would have us be.
Amen.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Our High Priest, Our Savior!
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
The LESS is blessed of the BETTER. We don't bless God- He blesses us. Why is that? Because without any contradiction God is better than us. Blessed are those whom God has given His blessing. When a father gives a son his blessing it is because the father is older- wiser. The son does not give a blessing to the father.
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
The tribe of Levi was in Abraham's loins- his descendents- Abraham/Isaac/Jacob/Levi. The priesthood came from the tribe of Levi and yet Melchisedec was not of that tribe of Levi. Melchisedec was appointed by GOD uniquely so and Abraham whose descendants would bring forth the tribe that would be priests unto God, paid tithes to Melchisedec- appointed uniquely of God, greater than the one being blessed.
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Perfection is of God! You can follow the law to the letter and not achieve perfection. Perfection is uniquely of God. The law guides in love, the law given by God out of love, but the law is not God Himself. Another PRIEST should rise after the ORDER of Melchisedec- a Priest uniquely of God- Jesus Christ!
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Our wonderful Savior! The power of an endless life!
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The law pointed to Christ. The hope was in the eternal one, sacrificed.
Heb 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
A priest forever! A priest uniquely of God forever, an UNCHANGEABLE priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Our Savior lives forever as a High Priest, God's High Priest- ever to make intercession for us!
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Became us!
Holy!
Harmless!
Undefiled!
Separate from sinners!
Higher than the heavens!
OUR High Priest! Our Savior!
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
The Sacrifice made once, a Sacrifice. A PERFECT Sacrifice. The Sacrifice all other lessers sacrifices pointed to. Death once. Jesus offered Himself a perfect Sacrifice.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
The word of the oath- God's oath- uniquely called of God- knowing the law eternally- The Son consecrated forever and ever more.
Jesus wasn't born into the priesthood. It was those of the priesthood who had Him killed. Jesus was a priest though, a Priest uniquely so called of God. He wasn't a priest from man's calling, but of God's. We cannot forget this. Jesus is our High Priest. A Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us! We have a High Priest! We do! You have a High Priest, I have a High Priest! That High Priest is our Savior!
Jesus- Became us!
Jesus- Holy!
Jesus- Harmless!
Jesus- Undefiled!
Jesus- Separate from sinners!
Jesus- Higher than the heavens!
Jesus our High Priest!
We're not to look to any other to intercede for us, not any other, no man, no one but the Lord God Jesus Christ our Savior, He alone as our High Priest intercedes for us.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
He alone can save us to the uttermost!
All praise, all glory, all honor to our King! Our High Priest! Our Savior now and forever and ever!
By His grace!
Amen.
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
The LESS is blessed of the BETTER. We don't bless God- He blesses us. Why is that? Because without any contradiction God is better than us. Blessed are those whom God has given His blessing. When a father gives a son his blessing it is because the father is older- wiser. The son does not give a blessing to the father.
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
The tribe of Levi was in Abraham's loins- his descendents- Abraham/Isaac/Jacob/Levi. The priesthood came from the tribe of Levi and yet Melchisedec was not of that tribe of Levi. Melchisedec was appointed by GOD uniquely so and Abraham whose descendants would bring forth the tribe that would be priests unto God, paid tithes to Melchisedec- appointed uniquely of God, greater than the one being blessed.
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Perfection is of God! You can follow the law to the letter and not achieve perfection. Perfection is uniquely of God. The law guides in love, the law given by God out of love, but the law is not God Himself. Another PRIEST should rise after the ORDER of Melchisedec- a Priest uniquely of God- Jesus Christ!
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Our wonderful Savior! The power of an endless life!
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The law pointed to Christ. The hope was in the eternal one, sacrificed.
Heb 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
A priest forever! A priest uniquely of God forever, an UNCHANGEABLE priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Our Savior lives forever as a High Priest, God's High Priest- ever to make intercession for us!
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Became us!
Holy!
Harmless!
Undefiled!
Separate from sinners!
Higher than the heavens!
OUR High Priest! Our Savior!
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
The Sacrifice made once, a Sacrifice. A PERFECT Sacrifice. The Sacrifice all other lessers sacrifices pointed to. Death once. Jesus offered Himself a perfect Sacrifice.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
The word of the oath- God's oath- uniquely called of God- knowing the law eternally- The Son consecrated forever and ever more.
Jesus wasn't born into the priesthood. It was those of the priesthood who had Him killed. Jesus was a priest though, a Priest uniquely so called of God. He wasn't a priest from man's calling, but of God's. We cannot forget this. Jesus is our High Priest. A Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us! We have a High Priest! We do! You have a High Priest, I have a High Priest! That High Priest is our Savior!
Jesus- Became us!
Jesus- Holy!
Jesus- Harmless!
Jesus- Undefiled!
Jesus- Separate from sinners!
Jesus- Higher than the heavens!
Jesus our High Priest!
We're not to look to any other to intercede for us, not any other, no man, no one but the Lord God Jesus Christ our Savior, He alone as our High Priest intercedes for us.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
He alone can save us to the uttermost!
All praise, all glory, all honor to our King! Our High Priest! Our Savior now and forever and ever!
By His grace!
Amen.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Priest of the Most High God
Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Melchisedec- God's High Priest. A man of mystery- made LIKE unto the Son of God. He wasn't the Son of God, He did not have a birth as Jesus had a birth- born of the Spirit-God become man. Melchisedec was not a God. But he was like the Son of God. Where is says 'without father without mother' we know that Jesus had a mother, that Jesus was born of a woman. Melchisedec's birth was unknown. Perhaps like any child abandoned in secret and found, raised by others, the parents are unknown- the origins of that child are unknown. Melchisdec could have been abandoned as a child. It's not unheard of and we really don't know. With no history- no descent- a person's heritage is completely unknown. We can guess at certain parts by the color of skin, the color of hair, and physical features but even those aren't perfect indicators. God chose Melchisedec to be His High Priest- a personal High Priest on earth not appointed by any man, but appointed by God Himself before the Levitical Priesthood institution was in place. When they say he had neither beginning of days nor end of life- again these are things that can't be verified all the time- this does not make Melchisedec a Son of God, it makes Him a Priest of God, a priest that abides continually. This was a great man and we are to consider how great-- so great that Abraham- promised of God- honored this man. He didn't honor Him as if he were God, but from God. God deserves a 10th of all we own, Abraham as God's chosen respected that Melchisdec was God's chosen High Priest and gave him a 10th of all the spoils he'd gained from the slaughter of the kings.
Chosen of God.
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
God's High Priest!
It's important for us to know this, it really is. We have to understand that our Savior is a High Priest appointed so by His Father, appointed by God. It's necessary for us to consider the High Priest's role in God's plan. A High Priest is necessary. At first each man was a priest to himself, for his family offering sacrifices to God for their sins and the sins of their family. God's plan for the future involved High Priests above the priest role. God appointed the High Priests to offer sacrifices for the priests and for all, answerable only to God Himself. The Levitical system formalized this plan of God's, and all of it pointed towards the Innocent Lamb of God- God's Son who alone could offer a PERFECT sacrifice. Is it no wonder we have to recognize our Savior as our High Priest before God, appointed by God?
We don't live in a time and haven't lived in a time without God's ultimate Sacrifice for over 2000 years. We've gone far away from the idea of having a priest, or a high priest offering animal sacrifices so that our sins can be forgiven. The priest NEVER forgave sin, God forgave sins as the blood was offered by the priests. No man can forgive sin against God, only God can forgive that sin and the only acceptable sacrifice is His Son's perfection, His Son's sacrifice. We can try all we want to obtain forgiveness through rituals if that's what we want to do, but no ritual will give us that forgiveness, only Christ Himself can give us that forgiveness. We have to confess to Him, we have to repent of our sins, we have to seek forgiveness through HIM and no other. But to believe we don't have to confess to Him, to believe we can have forgiveness merely through knowing He exists, to believe we have forgiveness without repentance and confession is a fallacy that we need to understand. That repentance can't be found through another. Even though we like to believe that there is no priestly services involved in anything any more, it's not true. Heaven has a temple, our High Priest is in that temple, God's sacrificial system moved from type on earth to reality in heaven and we need to know this.
By the grace of God we will understand more and more of all we need to understand by His will. Our hope is in Christ and Christ alone. Our Savior is our only hope and our belief in our Savior is that hope. We must believe that He is.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Let us have faith!
By His love now and forever!
Amen.
Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Melchisedec- God's High Priest. A man of mystery- made LIKE unto the Son of God. He wasn't the Son of God, He did not have a birth as Jesus had a birth- born of the Spirit-God become man. Melchisedec was not a God. But he was like the Son of God. Where is says 'without father without mother' we know that Jesus had a mother, that Jesus was born of a woman. Melchisedec's birth was unknown. Perhaps like any child abandoned in secret and found, raised by others, the parents are unknown- the origins of that child are unknown. Melchisdec could have been abandoned as a child. It's not unheard of and we really don't know. With no history- no descent- a person's heritage is completely unknown. We can guess at certain parts by the color of skin, the color of hair, and physical features but even those aren't perfect indicators. God chose Melchisedec to be His High Priest- a personal High Priest on earth not appointed by any man, but appointed by God Himself before the Levitical Priesthood institution was in place. When they say he had neither beginning of days nor end of life- again these are things that can't be verified all the time- this does not make Melchisedec a Son of God, it makes Him a Priest of God, a priest that abides continually. This was a great man and we are to consider how great-- so great that Abraham- promised of God- honored this man. He didn't honor Him as if he were God, but from God. God deserves a 10th of all we own, Abraham as God's chosen respected that Melchisdec was God's chosen High Priest and gave him a 10th of all the spoils he'd gained from the slaughter of the kings.
Chosen of God.
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
God's High Priest!
It's important for us to know this, it really is. We have to understand that our Savior is a High Priest appointed so by His Father, appointed by God. It's necessary for us to consider the High Priest's role in God's plan. A High Priest is necessary. At first each man was a priest to himself, for his family offering sacrifices to God for their sins and the sins of their family. God's plan for the future involved High Priests above the priest role. God appointed the High Priests to offer sacrifices for the priests and for all, answerable only to God Himself. The Levitical system formalized this plan of God's, and all of it pointed towards the Innocent Lamb of God- God's Son who alone could offer a PERFECT sacrifice. Is it no wonder we have to recognize our Savior as our High Priest before God, appointed by God?
We don't live in a time and haven't lived in a time without God's ultimate Sacrifice for over 2000 years. We've gone far away from the idea of having a priest, or a high priest offering animal sacrifices so that our sins can be forgiven. The priest NEVER forgave sin, God forgave sins as the blood was offered by the priests. No man can forgive sin against God, only God can forgive that sin and the only acceptable sacrifice is His Son's perfection, His Son's sacrifice. We can try all we want to obtain forgiveness through rituals if that's what we want to do, but no ritual will give us that forgiveness, only Christ Himself can give us that forgiveness. We have to confess to Him, we have to repent of our sins, we have to seek forgiveness through HIM and no other. But to believe we don't have to confess to Him, to believe we can have forgiveness merely through knowing He exists, to believe we have forgiveness without repentance and confession is a fallacy that we need to understand. That repentance can't be found through another. Even though we like to believe that there is no priestly services involved in anything any more, it's not true. Heaven has a temple, our High Priest is in that temple, God's sacrificial system moved from type on earth to reality in heaven and we need to know this.
By the grace of God we will understand more and more of all we need to understand by His will. Our hope is in Christ and Christ alone. Our Savior is our only hope and our belief in our Savior is that hope. We must believe that He is.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Let us have faith!
By His love now and forever!
Amen.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
We might have strong consolation...
Heb 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heb 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
We swear on the Bible. We swear on the lives of loved ones. We swear to God. We swear all the time in order to have others believe that we are being truthful, that what we say means something. Do you believe people lie all the time, even those who swear? They do. We call it perjury in court. We see it on television in shows *games* people are playing and swearing on the lives of their dear mothers, their sweet children and all the while they are lying and doing so- telling themselves it's only a game- just a game and lies in games of lying don't matter. It's hard to take anyone at their word especially these days. There was a time when a handshake was enough, but now we need contracts and contracts that are legitimate and binding in all the legal jargon. Even then people try to get out of contracts they've signed. Our oaths mean very little.
God's oath means EVERYTHING.
God will NEVER go back on His word, has NEVER gone back on His word, CAN'T go back on His word. God cannot LIE! Salvation is ours, we are His heirs of the promise! Each and every one of us is an heir of the promise. This is a STRONG CONSOLATION to us. We need to use these facts as consolation as life throws everything it can at us, everything that Satan will try and use to get us to turn from our God, our ONLY hope.
Consoling ourselves means what exactly? It's giving ourselves comfort in a bad situation. If you console someone who has lost a loved one you are trying to comfort them. If you are consoling someone that is going through a rough time you are trying to give them some comfort. We have to console ourselves with the knowledge that we are heir of salvation, that we have hope in Jesus. We need that comforting knowledge because without it we could easily become overwhelmed.
Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
An anchor of the soul.
Sure and stedfast.
Entering into that within the veil! Entering into the Most Holy Place! Entering where our Savior is at the right hand of the Father. Jesus entered the place within the veil, a high priest forever deemed so by God Himself.
This is hope. This is our consolation. This is the salvation promised to us, the heirs of salvation.
How wondrous it is to know that we have a Savior, a High Priest ministering on our behalf behind the veil.
The promises of God to some mean very little and if we live only for this world they are nothing, they are meaningless to those who have no hope in eternity with their Savior. These are reality! God is reality! Jesus is reality! Eternal life is reality and Satan will stop at NOTHING to take that reality and make people believe it's all fiction. Satan wants us to lose hope, to have no faith in God or His promises.
By the grace and the mercy of our Lord and Savior we will hold fast to the promises of our God, we will cling to the knowledge we are heirs of Salvation through Jesus, that we can console ourselves knowing there is hope in a world that would have us live without hope. Jesus our High Priest lives and with this knowledge we live in Him.
Amen!
Heb 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
We swear on the Bible. We swear on the lives of loved ones. We swear to God. We swear all the time in order to have others believe that we are being truthful, that what we say means something. Do you believe people lie all the time, even those who swear? They do. We call it perjury in court. We see it on television in shows *games* people are playing and swearing on the lives of their dear mothers, their sweet children and all the while they are lying and doing so- telling themselves it's only a game- just a game and lies in games of lying don't matter. It's hard to take anyone at their word especially these days. There was a time when a handshake was enough, but now we need contracts and contracts that are legitimate and binding in all the legal jargon. Even then people try to get out of contracts they've signed. Our oaths mean very little.
God's oath means EVERYTHING.
God will NEVER go back on His word, has NEVER gone back on His word, CAN'T go back on His word. God cannot LIE! Salvation is ours, we are His heirs of the promise! Each and every one of us is an heir of the promise. This is a STRONG CONSOLATION to us. We need to use these facts as consolation as life throws everything it can at us, everything that Satan will try and use to get us to turn from our God, our ONLY hope.
Consoling ourselves means what exactly? It's giving ourselves comfort in a bad situation. If you console someone who has lost a loved one you are trying to comfort them. If you are consoling someone that is going through a rough time you are trying to give them some comfort. We have to console ourselves with the knowledge that we are heir of salvation, that we have hope in Jesus. We need that comforting knowledge because without it we could easily become overwhelmed.
Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
An anchor of the soul.
Sure and stedfast.
Entering into that within the veil! Entering into the Most Holy Place! Entering where our Savior is at the right hand of the Father. Jesus entered the place within the veil, a high priest forever deemed so by God Himself.
This is hope. This is our consolation. This is the salvation promised to us, the heirs of salvation.
How wondrous it is to know that we have a Savior, a High Priest ministering on our behalf behind the veil.
The promises of God to some mean very little and if we live only for this world they are nothing, they are meaningless to those who have no hope in eternity with their Savior. These are reality! God is reality! Jesus is reality! Eternal life is reality and Satan will stop at NOTHING to take that reality and make people believe it's all fiction. Satan wants us to lose hope, to have no faith in God or His promises.
By the grace and the mercy of our Lord and Savior we will hold fast to the promises of our God, we will cling to the knowledge we are heirs of Salvation through Jesus, that we can console ourselves knowing there is hope in a world that would have us live without hope. Jesus our High Priest lives and with this knowledge we live in Him.
Amen!
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