TEXT: 2 PETER 3:6-13.
MEMORY VERSE: I COR. 2:6 YET AMONG THE MATURE
WE DO IMPART WISDOM, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A WISDOM OF THE
UNDERSTANDING THE USE OF THE WORDS
INTRODUCTION: In this particular series of study, we intend
to examine such phrases in the Bible as “The end of the world” “The elements
shall melt with fervent heart” “the world to come”. Are all these referring
to the physical globe? What exactly are the heavens and earth that will pass
away? What is the nature of the fire that will do this melting? What impact
will it make to know that there is a different between the use of the words
The basic sense of “AION is “
So what
are we saying? The word WORLD (Kosmos) should be seen appropriately as “the
system of THINGS” for we are still Living in the present age but not affected
by the “system of things” that characterized the period of time. Therefore
note that “The course of a world which is evil is itself evil and to live
in accordance with it is to live in trespasses and sins” – The Expositor Greek
Testament (Vol. 111,pp 282, 283), on the word Aion.
A FURTHER
From the
previous study, we were able to see the true meaning of the words Age (Aion)
and word (Kosmos) as specifying periods, ages, time and the state of affairs
(system of things) that characterized that period of existence. May we now
look at some Scriptural implication of these words as used in the Bible.
1.
ACCORDING
TO
2.
WHAT
WORLD (
“For them must He often have suffered since the foundation
of the world: but now once in the END OF THE WORLD hath He appeared to put away sin by
the sacrifice of Himself”. First of all, note that this chapter of Hebrew
9 is dealing with the priesthood ministry of Jesus, with the shedding of His
blood, foreshadowed by the blood of bulls and the tabernacle arrangements.
The fact is, through the law covenant by God with the children of Israel,
God initiated a Jewish Epoch, with all that the law stood for, that mapped
out that period of history as regards God’s relationship with mankind; the
characteristic features of which includes, a priesthood, a system of sacrifices,
dietary regulations as found in the book of Leviticus and of Tabernacle and
Temple worships with festivals and Sabbaths which were all “a shadow of the
things to come; but the body (fullness, reality) in Christ”. Col. 2:17. Therefore
with the coming of Christ, and the nailing of these laws and ceremonies to
His cross, by offering up His blood as the ultimate sacrifice, thereby introducing
a New Covenant Col. 2;13-17, Heb. 8:13, Mk 14:22-24, He made the Old Covenant
with its ritualistic systems of worship to terminate which is called “the
WORLD” Heb.9:26. Therefore with the sacrifice has come to an end through Christ.
In other words, that was the climax of history of the Jewish age of ceremonies.
Compare Gal. 4:21-31, 2 Cor. 3:6-16. But it must be noted that this Jewish
system of worship and doing things did not actually end until AD 70 when the
temple worship was destroyed by the Romans and so completely terminating the
priesthood and sacrifices and the laws that pertains to it, with the Jews
completely scattered. And this is the true meaning of the answer Jesus gave
to His disciples when they said “Tell us, when shall these things be?
And what shall be the sign of thy coming and THE END OF THE WORLD?” Math.
24:3 “close of the age?”
RSV. “end of the age?” NEB conclusion of the system of things? Int. Linear
Trans. As it ought to read instead of “the
world”. “The abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel…. Stand in the
holy place” verse 15. Dan. 9:27, was the Roman soldiers who moved into the
Holy place in the Temple, destroying and dislodging all the Jews that took
refuge there during the siege. Quite an abominable thing for a Gentile to
enter the most Holy place, which only the
Jewish high priest is qualified to enter therein once a year, to offer sacrifices
for the sins of the people.
Thank God,
that in inaugurating the New order, He is creating a New people for Himself
through the Spirit. Heb 8:7-13, 1 Peter. 2:5. But may we heed the word of
the Spirit “ALL these happened to them (Jews) are examples…. as objects of
lessons to us… to warn us against doing the same things, they were written
down so that we could read about them and learn from them IN THESE LAST DAYS
AS THE WORLD (system of things, the age) NEARS IT END” I Cor. 10:11 tlb. Compare
I Tim. 6:17, 2 Tim. 4:10, Matt. 13:22, I Cor. 7:31. For “the fashion of this
world (age) passeth away”.
DIRECT INFLUENCES OF THE PAST AGE ON
THE PRESENT ONE
From the past study, we discovered that the present world
order can affect one’s Spiritual life which the Bible refers to as “the cares
of this world” Matt. 13:22; example of whom was Demas “please comes as soon
as you can, for Demas has left me. He loved THE GOOD OF THIS LIFE. (Present
system of things)… :2 Tim. 4:10, tlb, Int. Linear Trans.
BUT WHO
IS THE CONTROLLER OF THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD? And if indeed our gospel be found
veiled, the only people who find it so are those on the way to perdition.
Their unbelieving minds are so blinded by the god of this passing age” 2 Cor. 4:3-4. This same god of this world is identified in John 12;31
as “the prince of this world’ and again, “To you, who were spiritually dead
all the time that you drifted along on the stream of this world’s ideas of
living, and obeyed its unseen ruler (who is still operating in those who do
not respond to the truth of God) “Eph2:1-2, Philips. Now it is this unseen
controlling power in the heart of men that makes them enemies of God, for
“you yourselves who were strangers to God, and in fact, through the evil things
you have done (are) HIS SPIRITUAL ENEMIES…” Col. 1:21. Philips. But how did man become the spiritual
enemy of God? As man in Adam became one with Satan – evil, by partaking
of “the tree of knowledge of good and evil) for “to whom you yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto
death… for “to be carnally minded is death… “Gen. 3:1-6, Rom. 6:16; 8:6. Son
you see, the present corruptions, evils, foolishness, pride, wars among family
members, nations and even in religion circles, unbelief in the hearts of the
so called Christians of what God Himself is doing and wants to do goes beyond
the age of the Jewish order of the Old Covenant. This is made plain by the
parable of the WHEAT and TARES. Matt. 13:24-30; 37-43. In the interpretation
given, the FIELD IS THE WORLD (KOSMOS) – the system of things. The GOOD SEED
– WHEAT are the TRUE DISCIPLES – Children of the kingdom. The TARES are the
EVIL ONES – Children of the devil – the enemy that planted them. The HARVEST
is the END OF THE WORLD. Now notice something, the parable states clearly
that the wheat and the tares shall be here till the end of the world, so it
is very erroneous to teach that some people would be “raptured” before the
end of the world. It is also clear that what the reapers gathered to be burnt
are the tares – weeds “system of things” (aion) verse 30 and not the world
(Kosmos).
SO WHAT
THEN IS THE END OF THE WORLD “Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so
will it be AT THE CLOSE OF THE AGE” Matt. 13:40 RSV. The Greek word used here
is SUNTELLEIA which means the
consummation of a dispensation. That means the harvest is the bringing
to an end the age of evil works under the power of Satan. It is this understanding
of the words of Jesus referring to the close of the age that made the disciples
to ask the question” …. What will be the sign of your coming and the close
of the age” Matt 24:3 RSV. Now, the word “coming” in the Greek is “PAROUSIA”
which means “PRESENCE”, so literally it should read, “What will be the sign
of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things? So all the
signs (symbols) He gave in the entire chapter 24 are thing things that signal
the conclusion of the age of evil, realizing also that He also spoke of His
presence till the end of the age when He said “Go therefore and make disciples
of people of all nations…. Teaching them to observe all the things I have
command you. And look! I AM WITH YOU ALL THE DAYS UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF
THE SYSTEM OF THINGS (close of the age). “ Matt. 28:19-20. Int. Linear Trans.
And you know what? He is here with us all right from the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2. Even when He asked the disciples to “wait for the promise of the Father”.
Acts 1:4, for the Apostles saw Him come in the upper room. And His presence
in the saints shall be intensified at the conclusion of things “And to grant
rest with us to you who are afflicted, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels in FLAMING FIRE, INFLICTING VENGEANCE UPON THOSE
WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD AND UPON THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD
JESUS. They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion
from the PRESENCE of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when he comes
on that day to be GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS.. (The reapers – angels)” 2 Thes
1:7-9 RSV.
UNBELIEF,
THE COMMON SIN OF THE AGES
From 2 These 1:5-10, we have been able to see that the wrath
of God awaits those who do not know and refused to believe the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus, when he comes to be glorified in His saints, which also corresponds
to the harvest of the age. Math 13:40. The weeds being the wicked unbelievers.
So HOW LONG
HAS THIS UNBELIEF BEEN AROUND AND WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF IT? In Math 12:22 is
a record of the story of Jesus healing a blind and dumb fellow and how the
Pharisees derided Him by saying “This man is only expelling devils because
he is in league with Beelzebub, the Prince of devils”. verse 32 we are told
Jesus said “And whoever says a word
against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy
Spirit will not be forgiven, EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME” RSV.
“neither in this world, neither in the world to come” KJV. “not in this system
of things nor in that to come” Int. Lin. Trans. Looking at the above scripture,
one might think that it is referring to the age of the Jewish law and that
of the Grace that will be ushered in by the Christian era, but the fact is,
this actually is referring to the age of the Jewish law and that of the Grace
that will be ushered in by the Christian era, but the fact is, this referring
to the wilderness world, that is the nature of the people’s heart towards
God, and the New order that will be introduced thereafter. Now look at it,
why did He make the statement? “…He said this because THEY WERE SAYING, HE
IS IN THE POWER OF AN EVIL SPIRIT.” Mark 3:22-30. So you see, “the world”
there refers to the age of unbelief in the power of God, knowing that the
promise and plan of redemption was made unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Gen
15:13, Acts 7:17, 26:6. So despite these promise and the miracles performed
on their behalf by God in the wilderness through the Holy Ghost, their hearts
was still hardened. Hence Stephen has to say “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised
in heart and ears, YE DO ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: AS YOUR FATHERS DID,
SO DO YE”. Acts 7:51, Matt 21:33-41. And this their inability to acknowledge
the power of the Holy Ghost made it impossible for them to enter the rest
of God. “For good news came to us just as to them; but
the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet
with faith in the hearers--, as He has said, -- as I swore in my wrath. They
shall never enter my rest…. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter
therein, and THEY TO WHOM IT WAS LAST PREACHED ENTERED NOT IN BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF.
“Heb. 4:3-6. And it was this world of unbelief that extended to the time of
Jesus; even when in reference to the Pharisees who will not believe His healing
a blind man said.” ….If ye were blind, ye should have no sin, but now ye say,
we see, therefore your sin (unbelief) remaineth.” See John 9:39-41. So you
see, as long as your sin (unbelief) remaineth, you cannot acknowledge the
Holy Ghost which is the outworking and saving power of God because the work
of the Holy Ghost is to” … Convince the world of the meaning of sin, of true
goodness and of judgement. He will expose their sin because they do not believe
in me;…” Jn 16:8-9, Philips.
SO WHAT
IS THE ETERNAL SIN (DAMNATION) ACCORDING TO MARK 3:29?
“if any of you should
see his brother committing a sin (I don’t mean deliberately turning his back
on God and embracing evil), he should pray to God for him and secure fresh
life for the sinner. IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMMIT SIN THAT IS A DELIBRATE EMBRACING
OF EVIL and THAT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL DEATH – that is not the sort of sin I
have in mind when I recommend prayer for the sinner…. For it is impossible
for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,….. if they shall fall away (apostatize), to renew them again unto repentance;
SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, and put Him to an
open shame”. I Jn. 5:16, Heb. 6:4-6. Philips, KJV. But why is it impossible?
Because “if any one sin deliberately by rejecting the saviour after knowing the truth of forgiveness, this sin is not covered
by Christ’s death; there is no way to get rid of it… Think how much more terrible
the punishment will be for those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God and treated his cleansing
blood as though it were common and unhallowed, and
insulted and outraged the Holy Spirit who brings
God’s mercy to His people.” Heb. 10:26-29. Tlb.
So what are we seeing here? The unbelieving, rebellious hearts of these people
is what keeps them bound from enjoying the “rest” of the Lord (Mt 11:28) to which He has called us into, and
so their sin is unforgiven in this age until they come again to this realisation
through the ministration of the sons of God. 2 Tim. 2:24-26, for the Lord
said “… Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive any one’s sins, they are forgiven.
If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.” Jn. 20:23. And again,
“Your own Wickedness will punish you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing
it is to rebel against the Lord your God, fearlessly forsaking him….” Jer.
2:19. And with these sufferings befalling the rebellious, like the prodigal
son. Lk. 15:11-32. For “The way of transgression is hard… “Prov. 13:15. They
will confess the Lord again and so their sin is forgiven “for by thy words
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Because
“death and Life are in the power of the tongue… “Prov. 18:21, Phil 2:10-14.
Therefore unbelief is the cause of the unforgiveness all through the ages.
THE FIRST WORLD THE WORLD THAT THEN
WAS
So far we
have been able to see that the use of the word “WORLD” is not referring to
the planet earth and her neighbours, but rather, to humanity with his system
or arrangement of things’ that involves the way of life, social structures,
culture, political ideologies etc, this is being fashioned and operated by
man independent of God’s life and Spirit. I Jn. 5:16, Rom. 8:7-8. And this
life outside of God’s life, despite it’s pull on man, the rejection of this
extension of God’s mercies to man through the Holy Spirit, and the inability
of man to acknowledge this operation of God is what constitute what the Bible
calls “ETERNAL SIN” (Mk. 3:22-30, Matt. 12:22-32, Acts 7:51, I Jn 5:16-17,
Heb. 6:4-6). Only as long as one remains adamant to the call of God, thereby
constituting himself as the enemy of God because of his darkened mind and
conscience, devoid of God’s glorious light. Col. 1:21, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, compare
verse 6-7. “Unto the pure (sons of God) ALL THNGS ARE PURE, but unto them
(the unbelieving) that are defiled and unbelieving (in the finished work of
Christ and the regeneration power of the Holy Ghost) is nothing pure, but
even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God;
but in work they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every
good work reprobate” Titus 1:15-16. Note that the good works here is the believe
in Christ, so evil work is unbelief. See Jn. 3:16-21, I Tim. 4:2. This state
of affairs which is a reflection of the state of the mind of humanity and
its manifestations in all facet of human endeavour is what constitute “the
world” which the Bible says is “the fashion of this world (that) passeth away”
I Cor. 7:31. “AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, and the LUST THEREOF” I Jn. 2:17a.
SO WHAT
THEN IS THE FIRST WORLD? 2 PET. 3:6
“For just
as life went on in the days of Noah so will it be at the coming of the son
of man. In those days before the flood people were eating, drinking, marrying
and being given in marriage until the day that Noah went into the ark, and
knew nothing about the flood until it came and destroyed THEM ALL. So will
it be at the coming of the Son of man. “Matt. 24:37-39. Here we are told that the life
of man in the days of Noah was fully preoccupied with self-indulgence, completely
involved in the gratification of the self appetite, and worldly cares, just
like we are having in our age today. Without taking heed to the warning of
God that He will put an end to the wickedness of man. Gen. 6. And the Bible
records that only Noah heed this warning of God in his days, ‘ in preparing
an ark to the saving of his household. This action of faith condemned the
UNBELIEF OF THE REST OF THE WORLD (mankind) and won for Noah the righteousness
before God which follows such a faith”. Heb. 11:7, Philip. Therefore the FIRST
WORLD here speaks of mankind in the days of Noah, for when we talk of “the world that
then was…. “2Peter 3:6, it is evidence that it was not referring to the physical
globe or planet earth, even as the scriptures confirmed that Noah inherited
the physical earth after the flood. Gen. 9, rather it was the wickedness in
man, the full manifestation of the flesh that was destroyed, hence we read
“And knew not until the flood came, and took them (wicked) ALL AWAY’ KJV.
“swept them all away” Rsv “…destroyed them all… “Philip. Compare Gen. 6:5-8,
7:6-24 furthermore “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast
them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgement. And spare not the OLD WORLD, but saved Noah the eight person
– BRINGING
IN THE FLOOD UPON THE WORLD OF THE UNGODLY… making them an ensample unto those that
after should live ungodly” 2 Pet. 2:4-6 KJV “making them an object-lesson
for godless men in future days “NEB”. …..as a fearful example of those who
wanted to live in defiance of His laws – “Philip. For the “Lord knows how
to rescue a good man (such as Noah and Lot who believe in God’s word) surrounded
by temptation, and how to reserve His punishment for the wicked (unbelievers
in God’s saving power and mercies through the Holy Ghost in His messengers)
untill His day comes. Particularly for those who walk after the flesh and
indulge in the lust of polluting passing, and scorn and despise authority,
presumptuous and daring, self willed and self loving (creatures). They scoff
and revile dignitaries (glorious ones) without trembling” 2 Pet. 2:9-10. Philip
Amp. So what are we saying? The world is always ending for the wicked and
they are the ones that are always taken away through judgement and not the
righteous, like the rapture teachers will want to make us believe.
UNDERSTANDING THE TERM “THE DAYS OF
NOAH”
From the record of Matt.
24:37-39, it is crystal clear that the wicked – unrighteous ones in the “days
of Noah” were the people that the flood took away, leaving behind Noah, the
family and all living creatures, through the means of the ‘Ark’, to repopulate
the same earth. “And the LORD said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house
into the Ark; FOR THEE HAVE I SEEN RIGHTEOUS BEFORE ME IN THIS GENERATION…
And God remembered Noah and every living thing…. In the Ark… And God blessed
Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and REPLENISH
THE EARTH”. Gen. 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 Please read from Gen. chapter 6-9.
Therefore, for Jesus (Matt. 24:37-39) and Peter (2 Pet. 2:5)
to allude to this particular account is a clear indication that “THE DAYS
OF NOAH” is a PROPHETIC PATTERN of the “coming of the Son of man” and the
“day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men” 2 Thes. 1:6-12. People of
God, let us understand that the person that is coming is “the Son of Man”
and not “Son of God”, and you know why? Because “… the Father judgeth no man,
but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; And hath given him authority
to execute judgement also, BECAUSE HE IS THE SON OF MAN” Jn. 5:22,27. But
who is this “Son of Man: This is the visible manifestation of ‘the Christ’ in power and glory through His Body,
the overcoming church “the man Child” Company (Rev. 12:5) to execute judgement
upon the world of the ungodly, as He “comes to be glorified IN HIS SAINTS,
“… and ye shall see the SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN” Mark 14:62. Here the
“right hand of power” speaks of the authority that He wields, while the “clouds
of heaven”, speaks of the “Saints” through whom this authority is manifested.
Hence we further read “… Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His Saints to execute judgement upon all,
and convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which
they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly
sinners have spoken against Him” Jude 14:15. Compare Math 19:41, 16:27, 25:31.
Lk 12:8. This “son of Man” is one person because “he that is joined to the
Lord is one Spirit”. “Now the Lord is the Spirit”. I Cor. 6:17, 2 Cor. 3:17. And because He was one and in His
Body the church, he identified Himself with the Saints when He said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, WHY PERSECUTES
THOU ME? Because Saul was killing the Christians. Please may I be bold to
declare to you that it will be misleading to expect a physical “Son
of Man” from the sky, for it is only through the church that Christ
can be seen and known “… According to the power that worketh in us… “See Eph.
3:8-20. This is the meaning of “… Out of Zion
(the church) the perfection of beauty, God has shined” Ps. 50:1-2. So you
see, the ministry of the coming of the Son of Man is for judgement upon the
world of the ungodly just as it was in the days of Noah.
CONFIRMATION
IN SCRIPTURES AS A PROPHETIC PATTERN
That “the days of Noah” is a prophetic pattern for the judgement
of the ungodly is evident when we read “And he did not spare any of the people
who lived in ancient times before the flood except Noah, the one man who spoke
up for God, and his family of seven. At that time God completely destroyed
the whole world of ungodly men with the vast flood…. And continue to punish
the ungodly until the day of final judgement comes” 2 Peter 2:5-9 tlb. As
for the Saints, the righteous believers “if we would judge, ourselves, we
should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord,
that we should not be condemned with the world” I Cor. 11:31-32 kjv. The judgement
is our believe and acting on what the Lord is saying and not just following
traditions of religion, even as Noah believed and his faith condemned the
world. The “days of Noah” are therefore cited as examples of God’s judgement
against ungodly men, to show that those walking on the part of unrighteousness
will not escape God’s wrath as certain as what befell the world of Noah’s
day. Compare Isa. 54:9, Ezk 14:14, 19-20.
Backed up with the understanding of the fact that “the days
of Noah” is a prophetic pattern of the righteous judgement of God upon the
world of the ungodly through His enchristed company, we will now consider
a few confusing scriptures in the hearts of men in relation to the “end time”.
Do not forget that the wicked are always taken.
THE TWO THAT SHALL
BE IN THE FIELD AND ONE TAKEN
“Then
shall two be in the field the one shall be taken, and the other left” Matt.
24:49. What can we understand by this? A close look at the “parable
of the sower” in Matt. 13:24-30, 36-40 clearly explains this verse of scripture,
for we are told in that parable and the interpretation thereof that “The FIELD
is the WORLD; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are
the children of the wicked one” for “…. While men
slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way” verse
38, 25. From the above, we can see that the “two” that are “in the field”
are (1) “children of the Kingdom”; the righteous people of God, who have received
the true message and have become one with the messenger – Christ. And (2)
“the children of the wicked one”, - those who have refused to follow the way
of the Lord, but rather have chosen to abide in the false ministry of Satan
the devil through his agents. In verse 30, of chapter 13, we are also told,
there shall be a separation of the TARES from the WHEAT, which in verse 41
is the separation of “…ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, AND THEM WHICH DO INIQUITY”.
What do we mean “them which do iniquity”?
It is simply to be involved in and with “the false ministries’,
the Lying and hypocritical camp of the devil with which all the false messages
of “Rapture” “Prosperity” etc. are being pushed around without the life of
God being revealed to the people, whereby instead of making “disciples” they
are making ‘followers’ of their human – religion, prostilyzing God’s people,
to the extent that God’s people are now articles of trade, for “…Israel had
false prophet (Tares) as well as true (wheat)”, the (two in the field); and
you likewise will have false teachers (Tares) among you. They will import
disastrous heresies, disowning the very master who bought them (by teaching
something else) and bringing swift disaster on their own heads. They will
gain many adherents to their dissolute practices, through whom the true way
(message of the life of God) will be brought into disrepute (unbelief). IN
THEIR GREED FOR MONEY THEY WILL TRADE ON YOUR CREDULITY WITH SHEER FABRICATIONS…
they have eyes for nothing but women, eyes never at rest from sin. THEY LURE
THE UNSTABLE TO THEIR RUIN; Past masters in mercenary greed, God’s curse is
on them! They have abandoned the straight road and lost their way. They have
followed in the steps of Balaam Son of Beor, who consented to take pay for
doing wrong. “2Peter 2:1-2, 14. NEB… What a graphic picture of the two ministries
moving side by side in the World today? They (Tares) are all out to prophesy
and teach for money through lies, all in the name of ‘the Lord told me’ when
He God have not spoken “listen to the dreams I had from God last night, “they
say. And then they proceed to LIE IN MY NAME. Let these false prophets tell
their dreams and let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word….
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAFF (Tares) AND WHEAT!” Jer. 23:25-28. Tlb.
And because of these iniquitous life (Lying spirits in the name of the Gospel
of Christ) “the love of many” for God’s way of life “shall Wax Cold” Matt
24:12. See Matt. 23:28. In other words, people will rather chose to believe
the occult man and the idol worshipers rather than believe the Christian,
so that they can come to love the Father. Therefore God shall declare to them”
….depart from me, ye that work iniquity” and shall gather the tares (false
ministries and their adherents) “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth” Matt 7:23, 13:40,42. Which in actuality is the prevailing
power of the word of God’s truth undiluted that will emanate from God’s people
to put a stop to their Lying lips. Just as it was with Stephen and the Jewish
leaders. Acts 7:54 and so they will suffer the pains of loosing their self-made
empire and silly followers. See Rev 18:1-24. This judgement is, “the righteous
shining forth as sun in the Kingdom of their Father… “For the priest’s lips
should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law (perfect word) at his
mouth: FOR HE IS THE MESSENGER OF THE LORD OF HOST. “Matt. 13:43, Mal. 2:6-7.
The one then that is taken away is the false ministry.
THE
TWO IN ONE BED, ONE TAKEN…(1)
“I tell you in that NIGHT there shall be TWO IN ONE
BED; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.” Lk. 17:34. The
key words in this verse of Scripture are “Night” “Two men” :One BED”, “TAKEN”
and “Left”. Now, to go straight to the point, may we observe that those who
are “Left” in times of destruction or periods of captivity are often termed
“REMNANT” and those who are “TAKEN” are the ones carried away into captivity
or destroyed by such God ordained programmes of judgement. See Prov. 16:4”…
the wicked for the day of evil.” This
is made plain by prophet Isaiah when speaking
about Israel. “But though Israel be now as many as the sands among
the shore, yet only a few of them will be LEFT to return at that time…Yes,
it has already been decided by the Lord God of Hosts to consume THEM” Isa.
10:22-23. Tlb Paul in quoting Isaiah said “…concerning the Jews, that though
there would be millions of them, only a small number would be SAVED (a remnant
shall be saved. KJV)… that except for God’s mercy all the Jews would be destroyed
- all of them-just as every one in
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah perished” Rom. 9:21-28.tib. See also Rom.
11:5. Isa. 8:14-15. So you can see that those “LEFT” are the “REMNANT” and
are also the “SAVED”: Those who are enlightened escaped the destruction, while
those who could not escape are TAKEN.
Since
the Jews were a religious people, God’s own children. It stands to reason
that those who are “TAKEN” or “LEFT” have to do with God’s people. This is
clearly seen in the parable of the “Ten Virgins”, five foolish, five wise
, but note that they were all ‘Virgins’, the same group of people. And again
that the word “Virgin” is a symbol for
the “bride of Christ”. 2Cor. 11:2, Rev. 14:4.This Virgin company was supposed
to keep watch so as to be able to meet with the bridegroom
as He comes to receive the bride “unto Himself”, “…for the marriage
of the Lamb is come”. Rev. 19:7. But unfortunately, the sleeping church cold
not walk out to meet the Lord when the cry was made Behold the “Bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet Him.” Math. 25:6 Why could they not go out to meet
Him? Because the “five foolish” ones lack “oil” in their
“Lamp” which speaks of the illumination-anointing upon the word of
God, in other words thy lacked the true understanding of the Spirit behind
the letters. For “thy word is a Lamp unto
my feet, and a Light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. Therefore, their walk with
the Lord is not perfect, and so they stumble over the word (Rom. 9:32). The
religious world which these “Foolish Virgins” represented cannot find the
expression of the Spirit in the Soul, therefore making their activities completely
canal. They stumble over the things of God because there is no light on their
path as a result of the slumbering spirit that is upon the church; “By night
on my BED I sough Him (Christ) whom my soul loveth,… I sleep, but my hearth
waketh; it is the voice of my beloved that knocked saying, open to me, my
sister, my love… my beloved put His hand by the hold of the door, and my bowels
were moved for … I rose up to open to my beloved … I opened to my beloved;
but my beloved had withdrawn Himself and was gone;… S of S 3:1,5:2-6. The
above picture reveals the fact that Christ has been labouring Himself to come
in unto the bride, but the church, though her numerous Soulish activities
and inability to discern the timing of His visitation has completely locked
Christ outside her activities because the Church is totally at ease on her
religious bed with slumbering eyes. The same slumbering spirit that is upon
the Jews till date that made them deny and crucify the Lord of glory, and
so rather than seek the Lord through faith, they are walking by the law “(…As it is written God hath given them the
spirit of SLUMBER, eyes that they should not see, ears that they should not
hear) unto this day… Let their table (speaking of their religious services)
be made a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them”
Rom. 11:8-9, See Ps. 69:22-28. Why? Because “ they received not the love of
the truth.” 2 These. 2:10-12. But this also is a mystery, that through their
fall salvation may come to the Gentiles, for “blindness in part is happened
to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles become in. and so all Israel
shall be saved… “Rom. 11:25-26. So what are we saying? The present sleeping
church with her Laodecian spirit of “ I have need of nothing” because “ I am rich and increase with goods” Rev. 3:17a,
which is a portrait of the “prosperity message” and “seed faith” camps without
the preparedness and revelation of the Holy Life of God, are presently on
their bed of religious ease (prosperity comfort). Without realizing that “
…thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked.” Rev. 3:17b. And unto such the Lord has this to
say “Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the mountain of Samaria
(false gods - doctrines) …” Amos 6:1
“
I tell you in that NIGHT there shall be two men in one BED; the one shall
be taken, and the other shall be left” Lk. 17:34.
THE
USE OF BED AND ITS APPLICATION. The Bed is the place of REST OR SLEEP, that is why
the scripture says one should not sign a surety for debts if such one has
no money to pay, or else “your bed will be taken away from you”, meaning you
will be deprived of your rest and peace. Prov. 22:27. The bed is also a place
for holy meditation as well as for evil devising. Ps 4:4, 36:4. It also a
symbol of prostitution by the harlot church system Prov. 7:16. So spiritually speaking, the bed is a state of
consciousness, a realm of existence, a state of being that has to do with
being alert in the Lord through spiritual understanding, and so cease from
our human struggles. Even as Christ is our REST. Math. 11:28 “ For he that
is entered into his REST, he also hath ceased from his own works…” Heb 4:10,
that means Grace has taken over from law. On the other hand, the bed is a
state of being asleep, which is the inability to understand spiritual truths,
but religiously gorgeous. ‘ever learning and never able to come the knowledge
of the truth” 2Tim. 3:7. And with this spiritual dullness to which they have
fallen into through lasciviousness, they are unable to discern when and what
the visitation of the Lord is, and so coming upon them “like a thief in the
night” on their bed of religious prosperity “… I am rich. I have need of nothing”
Rev. 3:17. “For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them,… and THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE (taken away, removed). But ye
brethren are not in darkness, that, that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are the children of light, and the children of the day, we are
not of night, nor of darkness (because of the illumination of the word-lamp
of God). LET US NOT SLEEP AS DO OTHERS (two on the bed) BUT LET US WATCH (be
alert and at rest) AND BE SOBER for they that sleep, sleep in the nigh; and
they that be drunken are drunken in the night (as it was in the days of Noah?)”
1 These. 5:2-7. But what is the cause and meaning of the sleep and drunkenness? Isaiah identified this spirit of sleep and drunkenness
to mean in-alertness on the part of ministers, of God’s mind and His commission
and their erring in doctrines (drunk with wine) when he said “His watchmen
(ministers of the church) are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb
dogs, they cannot bark (warn the people of God of errors) sleeping lying down,
(on bed) loving to slumber (playing church) Yea, they are greedy dogs, which
can never have enough (prosperity mega-stars) and they are SHEPHERD THAT CANNOT
UNDERSTAND, they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his
quarter (religious impart revelations e.g. holiness camps) and are out of
the way; the priest and the prophet have erred… and are swallowed up of wine-they
err in vision, they stumble in judgement (of the truth of God’s word) for
all the table (messages-religious services) are full of vomit and filthiness”
Isaiah 56:10-11, 28:7-8. Now we know that “wine’ speaks of “doctrine” for
“No man also having dunk old wine straight way desireth the new…” says Jesus,
in answer to the question of the doctrine of fasting as to why His disciples
were not fasting unlike those of John and the Pharisees. Lk. 5:33-39. Now
hear what prophet Amos has to say about these drunkards “ Woe to them that
are at ease in Zion that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon
couches, and eat the lambs out of the flocks (i.e. destroys the life of Christ
from the church)… that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves
instruments of music like David (noise making in the name of kingdom dancing).
That drink wine in bowls (fullness of false doctrines) and anoint themselves
with chief ointments (faith on olive oil instead of the Holy Spirit) but they
are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph (the revelation that came upon
Joseph caused him to be sold into slavery without his flesh brother bothering,
so it is with the true sons of God today, they are despised and rejected,
yet they are the saviours- Obediah 21). Therefore now shall they go captive
(taken away) with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them (feasting
as in the days of Noah, Christmas, Easter etc) that stretched themselves shall
be removed (destroyed)” Amos 6:1, 4-7. KJV. “Therefore you will be THE FIRST
TO BE TAKEN…” tIb. So they (the drunkards, are the ones that are “taken” from
the bed (rest) of ministry. “But let us who are of the day (those of us begotten
by the Christ, the light that is called day Gen. 1:4-5) be sober (vigilant
for the days are evil) putting on the breastplate of love; and for an helmet,
the hope of salvation for God HATH NOT APPOINTED US TO WRATH, BUT TO OBTAINS
SALVATION (LEFT) by (through) our Lord Jesus Christ”
1 These. 5:8-9 KJV. So those who obtained the salvation in Christ’s
doctrine, 2 Jn 9, are the ones left, the “remnant” while other false ministries
are swept off, for; “judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness
to the plummet, and the HAIL (God’s purified words in judgement) shall SWEEP
AWAY THE REFUGE OF LIES… for the BED is shorter than the man can stretch himself
on it …” Isa. 28:16-20.
THE TWO WOMEN AT THE MILL ONE TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT…(1)
INSIGHT
TO THE MILL. For us to have an understanding of the application of this symbol,
the MILL, in relation to the coming of Christ and the end of the world-system
of man; it is necessary for us to understand that, THE MILL is a simple apparatus
usually made up of two circular stones, one place on top of the other, between
which various edible threshed grains are grinned into flour from which bread
was baked, other than the pestle and mortar.
The common handmill in middle East,
from which this message is given, consisted of two round stones, with the
upper grindstone made to fit and revolve on the lower one (Dt. 24:6, Job 41:24)
with both surfaces matching each other. The upper surface (stone) has a stick fitted into it serving as
a handle with which it is turned (revolved) on top of the lower surface with
a shaft holding it in place. There is also a hole on it where the grains are
poured in while it is revolving. The custom is that two WOMEN generally operate
this kind of mill ( Lk.17:35) hence the word “grinding together.” They sit
facing each other, while one pours in the grain with her free hand, the other
removes the flour as it comes out from the rim of the MILL and falls to the
tray or the cloth spread beneath the MILL. Bread was generally baked everyday
and usually each family possessed its own MILL. And the grinding of grain
into flour was ordinarily a daily activity of the woman in the household,
especially “slave girls” Exo. 11:5 Compare Job 31:10, Isa. 47:1-2. There are
also larger MILLs that are turned by Ass. Math. 18:6.
WHAT IS THE BIBLE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
MILL? According to the words of prophet Jeremiah, because of the disobedience
of the people of Judah, despite God’s warning to them not to worship other
gods and follow the customs of the surrounding nations and yet they did not
repent, God then determined to bring the land and the neighbouring nations
to desolation by sending in Nebuchadrezzar the King of Babylon, His “servant”
against them “…moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the
voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride,
THE SOUND OF THE MILLSTONES (hand mill) and the light of the candle” Jer.
25:10. See also Rev. 18:21-22 . Here it is evident that the sound of the Mill,
which is the noise produced because of the early
morning grinding of grains in homes for the baking of bread, is symbolic of
prosperity, an indication of the abundance of bread. So when it is taken away
then famine (poverty) will set in since the bread was the sources of life
of the family, and since the family bread must be produced everyday, it was
therefore forbidden by God’s law to Israel that nobody should take a person’s
hand mill or the upper millstone as a pledge. Dt. 24:6. Why? Because that
would be equivalent to “taking a man’s life”. That is, you are depriving that
individual his source of daily bread, thereby killing him.
Now, let us begin to understand. What
kind of bread do we really need today? Where do we find this bread? Who produces
the bread? Etc “Yes, I AM THE BREAD OF THE LIFE.” Says Jesus the Christ “…
When your fathers in the wilderness ate bread (manna) from the skies, they
all died, but the bread from heaven gives eternal life to everyone who eats
it. I AM THAT LIVING BREAD THAT CAME DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN. Any one eating this
bread shall live forever; THIS BREAD IS MY FLESH GIVEN TO REDEEM HUMANITY.”
Jn. 6:48-51 tIb. Here Jesus is declaring that the bread we need is not those
things we struggle for called “food”, no matter how appetizing or nourishing
and costly it may be, but rather what we need is “HIS FLESH”, the true bread.
SO WHAT IS THIS “FLESH OF JESUS THAT WE CAN EAT TO GET LIFE? Jn. 653-58. Again
we read “in the beginning was THE WORD AND THE WORD was with God; And THE
WORD was MADE FLESS…”Jn. 1:1-4,14 KJV. So here we can see that the FLESH HE
promises us to be the “BREAD OF LIFE”, is THE WORD.” No wonder we read … man
shall not live by bread (natural food) alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeded
out of the mouth of God” Mat. 4:4, Dt. 8:3. And in so doing God said, “…let
there be light…” Gen. 1:3, the first word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God” in creation is CHRIST HIMSELF. See Rev. 3:14. Meaning that when He
taught the apostles to pray “Give us this day our daily bread” Math. 6:11
it was the measure of the Christ life, the Light and power of God 1 Cor. 1:24,
that will be sufficient for them to go through the temptations and trials
of that day. In other words, they were to ask for the measure of HIS GRACE,
for “… Grace is sufficient for thee”. 2
Cor,12:9.
THE
TWO WOMEN AT THE MILL ONE TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT …(2)
“Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall
be taken, and the other left.” Lk. 17:35. And in other for us to truly see
this picture of “TWO WOMEN GRINDING” clearly, we have to understand that “WOMEN”
in the scriptures, in about ninety percent usage is a symbol for churches.
Christ in Paul truly explained this mystery when he said, “… the WOMAN is
the glory of the MAN… Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands… for
the husband is the head of the wife, EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH…
This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” 1Cor.
11:7, Eph. 5:22-32. KJV. Therefore you can see that the TWO WOMEN here at
the mill is a perfect picture of the TWO CHURCHES existing side by side today
on the earth, all claiming to be married to Jesus. The mill being the “source
of life” is a clear picture of what the church ought to stand for in her mission
to humanity. Hence Christ will describe the church as “the salt of the earth”…
a preserving and taste giving body, through the manifestation of signs and
wonders. “ the light of the world” just like Himself (Jn. 11:9). A body from which mankind
receives her sense of direction and understanding so that they do not walk
any longer in darkness of their corrupted mind. Math. 5:13a, 14a. It is through
the church that the hidden wisdom of God ought to be made known to all realms
of life and power. Eph. 3:9-11. And the whole of her mission can only be accomplished
through the production (mill) of the true life of God. “THE BREAD OF LIFE”
Jn 6:48, which is the “WORD” (See Dt. 32:46-47), as they reveal the word of
God and partake of same “for we being many are one BREAD (Christ) and one
BODY, for we are all partakers of that BREAD (Christ).” Even as “…He was known
of them in breaking bread” 1 Cor. 10:17, Lk. 24:31. This is the reality of
the apostles. “Breaking bread from house to house … with a singleness of heart”
Acts 2:46, see verse 44. In other words, they were ministering Christ (the
true word) to the people. And with that “the sound of the mill” was going
on, producing joy and the abundance of God’s life-prosperity.
Just as it was with Abraham having Sarah and Hagar
(Gen. 21:10 Gal 4:21-31) with one to be sent away, so also is with Christ
the true husband of humanity today. In
the book of Revelation, we are told of the TWO WOMEN presently producing food
(Bread-word) for the world -mankind.
The first woman is described as “… a woman clothed with the sun (Christ’s
glory) and the moon (power of darkness-the old covenant) under her feet and
upon her head a crown of twelve stars (Kingdom authority established through
the twelve apostles) Rev. 12:1. We are also told that the woman (present body
of Christ) brought forth a MAN CHILD, who was to rule all nations with a rod
of iron (perfect authority, to judge the earth) and this child was caught
up unto the throne of God.” Rev. 12:5. This man-child is actually the overcoming
church out of this present church age, the true bride of Christ even as the
vision reveals “… WILL SHEW YOU THE BRIDE , THE LAMB’S … THE GREAT CITY, THE
HOLY JERUSALEM, descending out of Heaven
from God”, His throne where she is presently being caught up into. Rev. 21:9-10,
12:5b. Speaking of the manifestation of the sons of God (a showing forth unto
the world) Rom. 8:19, of those who have become completely one with God through
Christ in their spirits -God’s temple Col. 1:27, Jn 17:22-26, “…Father, I
will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am; … “Compare
Jn. 14:10, Acts 17:27. So the BRIDE OF CHRIST with the bread of life, the
true word is the first woman. Now, the second woman is like unto the first,
a city “…come hither, I WILL SHEW UNTO THEE THE JUDGEMENT OF THE GREAT WHORE,
that sitteth upon many waters and I SAW A WOMAN sit upon a scarlet coloured
beast, full of names of blasphemy …And upon her forehead was a name written
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS (idol worship)
of THE EARTH (around the world)… and the WOMAN which thou sawest is that GREAT
CITY which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Rev. 17:1-3, 5, 18. Some
basic distinguishing features of this second woman is that “she is a mother
of harlots “(prostitutes)” with “names-titles of blasphemies against God.”
Friends, this woman is no other than the: “papacy” the “catholic church”
with her ecclesiastical power with which
she is controlling the world. Her numerous daughters (Harlots) are-
Protestantism, Anglicanism, Weslianism, Baptist(ism)
etc down to the Pentecostalism with all their numerous foundations. And what
are these names of blasphemies? The “Pope”, Most Holy Rev. Apostle”, “Rt Rev.
Arch-Bishop”, Rt Rev. Dr. Prophet” “Rev. Dr. Professor” so and so forth. All
because they have attended a seminary (cemetery!) or Bible college and through
religious craftiness, they are now running an empire called a denomination
without the life of God. But what has these titles to do with true spiritual
worship (Jn. 4:24) anyway? So you see, as long as this false church is going
on with her self promotions, without the true life of God being revealed the
name of GOD IS being blaspheme among
men. Rom. 2:24-25, Jm. 2:7. Therefore their whole life and system runs contrary
to the word of God “thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain” Dt.5:11.
Please see 2 Tim. 3:7, Math. 15:8-9. In the words of Christ “ Not all who
sound religious are really godly people … but I will reply, (to them) Go away
for your deeds are evil.” Math. 7:21-23.tIb. This great city Babylon, the
harlot church systems is the second woman at the MILL.
THE TWO WOMEN AT THE MILL ONE TAKEN, THE4 OTHER LEFT…(3)
‘’Two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken,
and the other left” Lk 17:35 with the understanding from the previous study
that these two women so mentioned in this symbolic language are (1) “
The bride of Christ, the great city, heavenly Jerusalem descending
out of God “Rev 12:1,5;21:9-10. And (2)
that “great city, mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots” Rev 17:1,5,15.18.
The question now follows: WHICH
OF THESE CITIES (WOMEN) IS TAKEN AND THE OTHER LEFT? The Spirit through David declares “…Out of Zion,
the perfection of beauty, God hath shined…..” Ps. 50:1-6 Indicating to us
that God has chosen to reveal Himself to creation-mankind that is still lost
in Adam, through Zion, even as God blazed forth in Mt Sinai, revealing His
nature, attributes and life through the law codes in the hands of Moses, to
and through natural Israel to the world. And
the truth behind his revelation of “Mt Zion” is that this same “Zion” from
which God is shining forth is the same” ……CITY OF THE LIVING GOD (because
God dwells there) THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM (that john saw descending out of
God Rev.21:9-10) THE CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN
(meaning they are heavenly in conduct and no more in the nature of Adam)’
Heb 13:22-23. Prophet Isaiah then summed up the mind of God
for this woman-city when he says ‘’for Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until righteousness thereof go forth
as brightness, and the salvation thereof as
a lamp that burneth …..THOU SHALT ALSO BE A CROWN OF GLORY IN THE HAND OF
THE LORD AND A ROYAL DIADEM IN THE HAND OF THY GOD” (Isa. 62:1-3) Therefore “Awake, awake; put on they strength,
o Zion; put on they beautiful garments (righteousness of Christ) o Jerusalem,
the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised
and the unclean (corrupters of God’s life)….Therefore my people shall know
my name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold,
it is I: How beautiful upon the mountains (nations) are the feet of Him (them,
Body of Christ. Rom 10:15 ) that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace;
that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith
unto Zion (the church ) thy God reigneth;
( not the doctrines of the devil, occult and witches reigning). Isa
52:16-7. So from this we can see that there is a city
(woman) that God accepts, who is a crown of glory to Him, even as the woman
is the glory of the man 2Cor 11:7, and she is ‘the bride of Chris “. ..The
city of the living God, the bread -word
of life she produces out of the millstone (the feet-Gospel Eph6:15) are ;good
tidings” of God’s love towards mankind, “peace” through His indwelling power
in the saints.” Prince of peace” in His people, That all things work together
for the good of God’s people because
He (God) is reigning.
But unlike the first woman, the bride of Christ the SECOND WOMAN which is
“Babylon the great the mother of harlots’ with her king, we are told is a
“servant” “Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my SERVANT” Jer 25;9. Telling
us that THE KINGS - mighty ministers of ‘miracle workers’ so called in mystery
Babylon, called the church are ordained of God for a purpose, they are serving
a definite purpose in God’s own programme of redemption until the time of
“the harvest” see Math 13:24-30. They are not ordained to come to the perfection
of God’s ultimate plan even as God can use the devil as an instrument to carry
out His will if he chose to Isa 45:7,54:16. 1Cor 5:5, 1Tim 1:18-20. The truth of this lies in the words of Jesus
“The servant abideth not in the house forever ….”Jn 8:35a. But even this priviledge
given to …….Babylon as a “servant” in the fathers house, she has so corrupted
and degenerated in ministry to the point that she is now serving as “a slave
girl” in the production of food (milling) for the kings of the earth- unbelievers
(Isa 47:1-2 as she sells her right of being the “salt” and “light” of the
world for money, because as long as man can bring in the tithes” and offerings”
he is qualified for either “eldership’ or “deaconship” or perhaps a better
tittle of “Rev apostle” etc. So no
more standard because she has lost her vision. A perfect picture of Samson …..a type of the church, who lost his “sight”
through Delilah – the delicate (flesh) and began to be used as a beast, an
Ass, to turn the mill of the Philistines,
the enemies he was raised to destroy. Judges 16”61.
Fleshly religion can make you like a beast. Now, hear the mind of God for Babylon, the great
city . “So Jeremiah wrote in a book ALL THE EVIL THAT SHOULD COME UPON BABYLON
“...behold I am against you o Babylon – you who pride and presumption personified
– says the Lord God of hosts; FOR YOUR DAY HAS COME, THE TIME WHEN I WILL
VISIT AND PUNISH YOU; Then a mighty
angel picked up a boulder shaped like a millstone and threw it into the ocean
(the world which she is now controlling . Rev. 17:1, 15, 18:9-19 and shouted
“Babylon, that great city, shall be thrown away as I have thrown away this
stone, and she shall disappear forever: Never
again will the sound of music be there, - no more pianos, saxophones and trumpets
(speaking of the glamour of church shows that excite the flesh) No more industry
of any kind will ever exist there (because their tricks of making money should
have been known by men) No more MILLING OF THE GRAIN –(she will lack the revealed
truth of God’s word) Jer 51:60; 50:31; Rev 18:21-22 KJV, Amp, Tlb.
But how will this be? “For,
lo I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great
nations (God’s sons, mighty messengers with truth from the north county- Mt
Zion, the city to the North Ps 48:2); and they shall set themselves in array
against her; FROM THENCE SHE SHALL (Babylon) be TAKEN…..” Jer 50:1-2.
For “thou (the true church) art my battle axe and weapons of war; for
with thee will I destroy kingdoms…” that opposes God’s righteousness. Jer
51:20. This then is the mystery of
the two women at the mill. The one
“Taken away” is mystery Babylon, while the true Bride is “left” to continue
the fathers work. My advice to you is “flee Babylon” and “save your soul”
Jer 51:6.
2ND WORLD – THE
WORLD THAT NOW IS ….2PET 3:7
“But the heavens (plural) and the earth which are now,
by the same word (Heb1:1-3) are kept in store, reserved unto fire against
the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men” 2Pet 3:7 KJV.
Now in dealing
with the second world, we should bear in mind that just like it was in the
“days of Noah” (eating and drinking, which we know by now to mean living in
an erroneous life of the flesh without the Holy spirit’s leadership), so it
is with us today. So whatsoever made
that world-system of man evil that qualified it for destruction is also present
with us today. Here we can also see
that the “heavens” speaks of the “ruling powers”, and the “earth” the people
that are earthly – carnally minded, hence the destruction is that of “ungodly men” (more on the ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’
in later studies). Let us not also forger that in Noah’s days he inherited
the renewed earth after the flood. Gen
8:22,9:1-2. While the ungodly were
“swept away” by the flood Math 24:38 –39.
And the whole of this first world is what is described in verses 5-6
of 2 Pet 3. Whereas verse 7 now talks
of another world THE WORLD THAT NOW IS. The
question now is, HOW DID GOD REFER TO THIS “WORLD THAT NOW IS”? In Gal.
1:4, we are told Christ” ….gave (yielded) Himself up (to atone) for our sins
(and to save us and sanctify us), in order to RESCUE AND DELIVER US FROM THIS
PRESENT WICKED AGE AND WORLD ORDER…”AMP. So to God the world is wicked, (evil).
So what constitutes this wickedness?
It is because man’s economy and social structure is out of balance
without God. Politically God is not a Democrat, neither a
Republican, He is not a Socialist (Communist) which has even denied God’s
existence (Ps. 14:1) God is revealed in the scriptures as a “King” because
He has a “kingdom” and mankind and especially the saved are His subjects. And every king demands obedience, this is where
we are all failing, and of course the word is clear that “if we be willing
and OBEDIENT we will eat the fruit (riches) of the land”, for “the earth and
the fullness thereof belongs to God” Isa 1:19, Ps.24:1. It is a known fact that all economic and political
concepts are the by products of our educational system, “the high places”
where man’s ideas are being idolized, a high ground for “secret societies”, to which one
of the vice chancellors recently agreed that the ‘cults’ in our universities
is only a carry over from the homes, meaning that the home which is the foundation
of the child’s moral and spiritual
life, up to the university level, overflowing
to the society is stinking. Talking of religion, what we have is ‘Pentecostal
rascalism’ (ministers) with mind full of religious racketeering (lead a gay
social life) with their psychological methods of preaching and persuasion,
the other face of which is the Orthodox “ white collar priest” with heads
full of dogmas of “tradition of elders”. So everywhere is empty of true piety
(devotion of God and good works), one can go on and on. The truth is, we are
all without God and so wicked in our ways. Are we not therefore qualified
for God’s holy fire to burn off this ugliness in the land? (2 Pet. 3;7). But
what is responsible for this you may wonder? “we know that we are children
of God and that ALL THE REST OF THE WORLD AROUND US IS UNDER SATAN’S POWER
AND CONTROL” (1 Jn. 5:19.tIb)”… The spirit that worketh in the children of
disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). Therefore “… all that is in the world (system of
man) The LUST OF THE FLESH (cravings for sexual gratification), and THE LUST
OF THE EYES (greedy longings of the mind) and THE PRIDE OF LIFE (assurance
in one’s own resources or in the ability of earthly things)-these do not come
from the Father, but are from the world (itself). 1Jn. 2:16 AMP. So
the natural man without God’s mind is “… spiritually dead … drifting along
on the stream of this world’s ideas of living and obeying its unseen ruler
who is still operating in those who do not respond to the truth of God” Eph.
2:1, Philips. In addition to this, the world is still directly under the
influence of the law, without realizing that it is not obeying the law that
save us but our faith in the promised seed, Christ or “well then, why were
the laws given? They were added after the promise was given to show men how
guilty they are of breaking God’s law. But this system of law was to last
only until the coming of Christ, the child to whom God’s promise was made…”
Gal. 3:17-19 tlb
And all of
these attitudes and character comprise of what is called “the image of the
earthy” 1 Cor. 15:47a, 48a, 49a. Jn. 3:31. This earthly nature is summed up
in Rom. 8:5-8. “ For those who are according to the flesh and controlled by
its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify
the flesh… Now the mind of the flesh (which is sense and reason without the
Holy Spirit is death-death that comprises all the miseries (sickness, poverty
etc) arising from sin, both here and thereafter… (That is)…because the mind
of the flesh-with its carnal thoughts and purposes- is hostile to God; for
it does not submit itself to God’s law… so those who are living the life of
the flesh – catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature
-cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him “AMP. So the heavens
(controlling factors) and the earth (people in their earthly nature) which
are now, by the same world are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE AGAINST THE
DAY OF JUDGEMENT and PERDITION OF
UNGODLY MEN” 2 3:7
2ND
WORLD – THE WORLD THAT NOW IS. 2 PET. 3:7
“Who gave Himself for our sins that He might delivers
us from this, PRESENT EVIL WORLD, according to the will of God and our father…”
Gal. 1:4 KJV.
Once
again, it is evident from the previous study that the present human ways of
life are evil because his wasy and thoughts are not godly, but that since
“God in Christ” is the saviour of ALL MANKIND, (2 Cor.5:19, 1Tim. 2:4, Lk.
3:6, Ps. 65:2, 1Jn. 2:2, 4:14 ). He has ordained in His programme to get the
lost man back to Himself by having the factors of man’s enemy in their mind
and spirit dealt with as by fire. Col 1:21, Eph. 2:12, 4:18, Mal. 3:1-3
SO
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF CHRIST ON EARTH AND WHAT IS HE SAVING US FROM? “Therefore,
since we are now justified- (believers) acquitted, made righteous and brought
into right relationship with God – by Christ’s blood, we shall be saved by
Him from the indignation and wrath of God (that will come upon the ungodly)-we
shall be SAVED (DAILY DELIVERED FROM SIN’S DOMINION) through His (resurrection)”
Rom. 5:9-10 Amp. For”…the Bread that I shall give for the LIFE OF THE WORD
is my flesh” Jn. 6:51. So the sin’s Dominion to which we are being delivered
from daily is the “ life of the world” that constitute THE EARTH (earthly
nature-the old man) Hence we read “MORTIFY
(KILL) YOU MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection etc. Col. 3:5 Compare Heb. 6:7-8. Now you can agree with me that
these evils can only be found in the nature of man and not the physical earth
wherein your mango and guava trees are gown. And again notice that these natures
are called “MEMBERS” meaning they have power and alive, so where you cannot
destroy them through your faith in Christ, then eventually God’s fire will
help you do it, then there will be no more earth -mankind of sin. Rev. 20:11.
The word of God puts it this way “so kill (deaden, deprive of power the evil
desire lurking in your members – those ANIMAL IMPULSES and all that is EARTHLY
IN YOU that is employed in sin; sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites,
unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, (don’t worship the good things
of life. tlb) for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created
things instead of God).. it is on account of these (very sins) that the (holy)
anger of God is ever coming upon (those who are obstinately opposed to the
divine will) the sons of disobedience;
Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to (such
practices). But now put away and rid yourselves (completely) of all these
things; ANGER, RAGE, BAD FEELINGS TOWARDS OTHERS, CURSES and SLANDER and FOULMOUTHED
ABUSE AND SHAMFUL UTTERANCES from YOUR LIPS: Do not lie to one another, for
you have stripped off the old (unregenerated) self with its evil practices.”
(Col 3:5-9 Amp)”But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives
will produce these evil results; impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,
idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred
and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself,
complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong) except those in your own little group-and there
will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder drunkenness, wild parties, and all that
sort of things. Let me tell you again as I have before, that anyone living
that sort of life will not inherit the kingdom of God” Gal. 5:19-21 Tlb. The
question then is, with all that have been enumerated above, is it true to
the nature of man’s life today? So you see, the removal of those things through
the control of the Holy Spirit is what produces a New Earth, in other words,
a New Race of people or social order. For you see, all these works of the
flesh being energized by “the prince of the power of the air” that make up
the daily life of mankind-world, are what Christ’s life in us is delivering
us from, having acquitted us from our inherited sin in Adam-for “…by one man
sin entered the world (mankind) and death by sin “…Rom. 5:12. KJV. Please
see Eph. 2:2, 6:16, 1 Cor. 7:30-32. And of course when David declared “…I
was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my MOTHER conceive me” Ps. 51:5. He
had no other mother but EVE, for Eve is THE MOTHER OF ALL LIVING” Gen. 3:20.
Even as the JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE (the true church) is OUR
MOTHER, the regenerated race. Gal. 4:26. So in order for us to inherit
the Kingdom of God, God WAS (IS) IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD (mankind)
UNTO HIMSELF (2 Cor.5:19) having freed us from the power of darkness and have
translated us into the Kingdom of His dear son. Col. 1:12-13. Just like the
children of Israel were taken out of Egypt (kingdom of Pharaoh) unto Himself
(Kingdom of God) Exo. 19:4
BUT
HOW ARE WE ESCAPING THIS EVIL WORLD AND THROUGH WHAT MEANS?
Just
as Noah ESCAPED THE destruction in his days, finding grace in the sight of
God (Gen.6:8) through his belief in God’s word and eventually sailing through
the storm in the Ark, mind you, he was in the midst of the storm, not up somewhere
in heaven, so are we getting saved today through our faith in Christ (1 Jn.
5:4) our ‘Ark of safety’ and by our putting on God’s divine nature “… He promised
to SAVE US FROM THE LUST AND ROTTENNESS ALL AROUND US, and to give us His
own character” 2 Pet. 1:4 tlb. Please read verses 4:10. With this, we will
be able to live a godly life in this present evil world. (Tit 2:12, Phil.
2:12-15, Math 5:14-16 ) in the midst of the darkness Isa. 60:1-2. So our escape
is not through any of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan’s power.
They are not part of this world any more than I am: make them PURE and Holy
through teaching them your words of truth” Jn. 17:15:17, Tlb. Again the destruction
is upon the ungodly, the desires of men.
THE
PASSING AWAY OF THE HEAVENS 2 PETER 3:10A
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
in the which the HEAVENS shall pass away with a great noise, and the ELEMENT
SHALL MELT with fervent heat, the EARTH also and the WORKS that are therein
shall be burnt up” 2 Peter 3:10.
Looking at the above Scripture, what then are these heavens
and earth that shall pass away?
THE LANGUAGE OF THE PHYSICAL HEAVENS.
Reading Ps 69:34, it says “Let the heaven and earth praise
Him, the seas and everything that moveth therein” See also Ps 19:1-4, telling
us of their declaration of God’s power, wisdom and majesty as long as they
continue to exist. In other words their existence reveals the glory of God
in creation and so the Gospel of God’s creative power is found in His creation
– the heavens and the earth, Rom. 1:20 and all depends on God for their existence
as part of His creation Ps 148:5-6. Hence the heavens is used as a simile,
relating to things that are everlasting, therefore the best things to describe
the peaceful continuous reign of the Davidic Kingdom inherited by Christ.
Ps. 72:5-7, Lk. 1:32-33, “… They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon
endure through out all generations …”. And so text like Ps. 102:25-26 describing
heaven as “perishing” and as “being replaced like a worn out garment” should
not be understood therefore in a literal sense, otherwise that will also mean
that the reign of Christ will “wax old like a garment” However, may we be
mindful of the word “AS LONG” in the passage, Ps 72:5-7, suggesting to us
the possibility of change at the will of God, because we do know that through
the fall, creation including the physical heavens are all under corruption
(state of imperfection), hence we are told” … that creation is groaning and
travaileth in pain together until now, waiting for the manifestation of the
sons of God, so that creation can be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of God’s children, and again that “that which is
seen in temporal… “Rom. 8:20-22, 2 Cor. 4:18.
CAN WE
SAY “HEAVEN IS A FIGURATIVE EXPRESSION IN THE BIBLE?
God’s warning to the children of Israel through Moses as they approach the land of Canaan says “But beware that your hearts do not turn from God to worship other gods, for if you do, the anger of the Lord will be hot against you, AND HE WILL SHUT THE HEAVENS – there will be no rain and no harvest, and you will quickly perish from the good land the Lord has given you”. Dt. 11:16-17tlb. And again “And if you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times more severely for your sins, I will BREAK YOUR PROUD POWER AND MAKE YOUR HEAVENS AS IRON, and YOUR EARTH AS BRONZE” Lev. 26:19tlb. Please compare Dt. 28:23-24, I Kgs. 8:35-36, 2 Chron. 7:13-14. Considering the above Scriptures, it is clear that the “heaven” as used here is a symbol of the controlling power of the life of a people, for the rain upon the earth for heaven will cause it to bring forth its fruitfulness and so a blessing of abundance will follow, whereas the “shutting of heaven – brass” will cause the earth to be hardened – iron, resulting in famine as a result of a sinful life (please se Jer. 14:1-9), to which only a heart searching repentance pra