Say this often;
Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God…
GOD IS HERE
Hebrews 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.
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Romans 10:6-11 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
God is a spirit, light, love, and life.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit (Gk: pneo- to breathe, to blow, of the wind.) and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 John 5:7-12 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness (the living word) in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Acts 17:22-31 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus) whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
God is for us.
Romans 8:31-38 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
JESUS TRUSTED IN THE LORD
Luke 22:41-42 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Acts 2:25-27, 31-32 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. … He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Hebrews 2:9-11 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
TRUST IN THE LORD COMPLETELY
Trust- assurance, confidence, dependence, faith, love, reliance, without fear, suspicion, or doubt.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
2 Chronicles 16:7-8 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psalm 31:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 56:3-4, 11 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. … In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Matthew 9:28-29 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child (dependence), he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere):
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 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.
James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Jude 1:20-21, 24-25 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
See; Six areas
Have faith in the resurrected Jesus
Revelation 1:10-18 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost are one in heaven. And the Holy Spirit, our body, and spirit agree on earth. The Holy Ghost and our spirits are in heaven and earth.
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
1 John 5:5-12 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 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. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath THE WITNESS IN HINSELF he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Jesus Christ is the faithful and true witness.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
The Spirit of God speaks to our spirit and through us in agreement with the Word of God.
Romans 8:16, 26-27 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: … Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1 Corinthians 2:9-11, 16 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. …[Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.] …But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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 (the witness of God). …For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 John 2:20, 27 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. … But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The world cannot receive the Holy Ghost, Comforter, Spirit of truth. This is a second experience with Jesus.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
John 3:3-6 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
John 14:16-18, 26-27 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. … 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. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 15:26-27 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: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:7-15 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
There is yet a third experience with Jesus that is in progress in these days. The maturing of the church. A pattern of these experiences is revealed in the three annual feasts of the Lord. The feast of unleavened bread, also called the feast of Passover, represents our salvation experience. The feast of harvest, also called the feast of Weeks, represents our baptism in with the Holy Spirit. And the feast of ingathering, also called the feast of Tabernacles, represents the matured church. THE COMPLETED HARVEST!
Exodus 23:14-17 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Jesus went to the feast of Tabernacles.
John 7:2, 37-39 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. … In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
See also; The Feast of Tabernacles
Isaiah 45:7-8 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
God created Satan so that He could be honored.
Genesis 3:1, 14 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? … And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He would honored.
Exodus 14:13-18 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
God allowed Job to suffer so that He would be honored
Job 1:8-22; 2:3-10; 42:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. …And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. …So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: …
God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be cast into the furnace so that He would honored.
Daniel 3:10-28 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
God allowed Jesus to suffer for us so that He would be honored.
Acts 2:22-25Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2:10-12 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Revelation 4:8-11 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Colossians 1:12-18 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
BE GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR YOUR FAITH IN JESUS.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Matthew 18:2-5 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ephesians 2:8-13 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
YOUR FAITH IN JESUS IS MOST HOLY AND PRECIOUS TO GOD
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:1-2 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Jude 1:17-21 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
FIND YOUR FAITH
Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
FIND YOUR FAITH FOR THE BRETHREN
Matthew 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Romans 12:3-5 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Ephesians 4:7-8 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
YOUR FAITH BRINGS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GOOD WORKS
Romans 4:3, 16, 20-25; 5:1-2 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. …Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, … He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. …Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Philippians 3:8-9 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
James 2:20-22 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
YOUR FAITH OVERCOMES UNCLEAN SPIRITS AND DISEASES.
Matthew 10:1, 7-8 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. … And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mark 10:51-52 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
1 John 5:4, 19 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. … And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
IT ALL BEGINS ON EARTH
Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Jeremiah 31:11-12 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46, 47 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. …And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. …And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Ephesians 4:1-4, 11-16 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; … And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Revelation 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Exodus 14:15-16, 27-29 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. … And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Psalm 107:21-31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Jonah 2:1-9 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Matthew 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Matthew 15:22-28 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew 17:15-21 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Mark 11:22-26 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
Luke 18:35-43 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 6:13-18 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, 39-40 12:1-2, 22-24 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. … 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. … And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. … But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
James 1:2-6 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Revelation 15:2-4 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
From Tent to Temple – George H. Warnock
CHAPTER 4 – THE TEMPLE OF EZEKIEL’S VISION
The Temple that Ezekiel saw in his vision, and the description of which occupies much of his prophecy, was never built according to the pattern that Ezekiel was given. Nor did God ever promise it would be, unless there was genuine national repentance and a turning toward God by the sinful nation. God’s promise was conditional:
“Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof” (Ezek. 43:10-11).
The obstacles in understanding Ezekiel’s prophecy must have been as insurmountable to the teachers of Israel in his day, as they have been to those who have studied his prophecies all down through the ages, and even unto this day. We are not told whether any attempt had ever been made to build the Temple that Ezekiel saw. But even if it had been built, it would still have been but a type and shadow of the real Temple “not made with hands.” It would still have to go the way of all the other temples, and eventually come to desolation, to make way for the “true tabernacle that the Lord pitched and not man.” All we have concerning Solomon’s Temple is the word concerning it; and we have the word concerning Ezekiel’s Temple, and this is all we require. Ezekiel, like all the other prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, spoke of “these days” following the resurrection of Christ. (See Acts 3:24) Unto them it was revealed “that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you” (1 Pet. 1:12).
The life of Solomon presents us with one of the greatest tragedies mentioned in the Bible. Here was a man filled with wisdom and understanding such as no king in Israel had ever known; and loving God with all his heart in his youth. Then in his later years he forsook the God whom he had loved and served so well, to worship the false deities of the nations about him. He even erected idolatrous high places for them right near Jerusalem; and the scriptures do not tell us whether or not he died with a heart alienated from God and engrossed in idolatrous practices. It was not long after his death that his kingdom was divided. Soon apostasy set it in, and idolatrous worship became rampant. Yet all through this time of apostasy God was faithful to send prophets, whose burden it was to turn the hearts of the people back to God. There were seasons of revival, and then a turning away from God, as ungodly rulers succeeded those whose hearts were right with God. The time came when God gave the nation over to judgment, and permitted the great empires surrounding them to harass them, and take some of the people into captivity. There had been several deportations from both Israel and Judah before the final desolation of Jerusalem and the plundering of the Temple by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. It was during one of these deportations that Ezekiel was taken captive from Judah, and found himself in a settlement with other captives near the river Chebar. But there in his captivity God raised him up to be a “watchman” to warn the nation of impending judgments. Repeatedly God told Ezekiel that his mandate was not to bring a word against the foreign nations around him, but to “the House of Israel.” “I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezek. 3:17). Apostasy seems almost to have been the norm in the history of God’s people, whether it be in the Old Testament or in the New, But as we have often pointed out, in every hour of abomination God begins to prepare a remnant through whom He will fulfill His purposes, and bring a new thing into being. Let us observe in Ezekiel’s writings how the glory of God surely, but reluctantly, withdrew from His habitation, and returned to His place in the heavens. And yet in and through it all gave us a promise that He would return again in the fullness of time, take up His habitation in a new Temple not made with the hands of men, and send forth a River of Life that would bring healing to the nations. But first Ezekiel must see the glory of God, and literally “eat the book”–the Word must become a vital part of His very being, before he could bring forth a clear and meaningful Word to the people of God. He must move in total union and harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven, and those spiritual powers that emanate from the Throne of God.
The Cherubim Of Glory
In the Tabernacle of Moses and in Solomon’s Temple what we have seen is primarily type and shadow: embroidered figures of the cherubim, or cherubim carved from olive wood, etc. But in Ezekiel and in the book of Revelation we have a glimpse into the realities of the heavenly realm. Ezekiel saw the heavens opened, and saw things as they really were. Of course, even then God must show us things in the likeness of things on earth… for how else could He relate to us in a language we can understand? It was somewhat different in the case of Paul, who was caught up into the third heaven and saw things that were “not lawful for a man to utter.” We cannot even surmise how and in what form He saw these things. But both Ezekiel and John were given a commission to take what they had seen and show it to the people… and so these heavenly realities have been depicted in some kind of form that men can relate to.
From the very beginning the Cherubim have been associated with man. And therefore we may expect in the hour of consummation they will once again be associated with man. Immediately after the Fall, God “placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24). Therefore in redemption, when man is once again brought back into the presence of God’s the cherubim are again involved. But this time it is to open up the way for man that he might return to the tree of life. Their presence in the holy place, and in the most holy place, is God Word to us that they are thoroughly identified with man in God glorious plan of redemption.
Who are They? It is evident from the scriptures that they are a very high order of celestial beings, and not just ordinary angels. They are always identified with the presence of God… particularly pertaining to His awesomeness, His holiness, and His majesty. Because redeemed man is to occupy such an intimate place with God, a place that is far above that of any other created being, God has therefore commissioned the highest of His heavenly creation to identify with the sons of God. Man’s relationship with the celestial order is accompanied with a lot of mystery, and we do not seek to inquire above that which is written; but it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth, according as we need it.
From Daniel we understand that there is a close identity with spiritual powers in the heavens and their counterparts in the earth. When Daniel’s prayers were hindered, it was because of opposition from “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Dan. 10:13). The archangel Michael (who stands up for the people of God in Daniel 12:1) came and joined the fray, and the Prince of Persia was defeated. The battle lasted 21 days. Then having delivered the message to Daniel he returned “to fight with the prince of Persia,” and suggested that he may also have warfare with “the prince of Grecia” (Dan. 10:20). So it is evident there was a spiritual counterpart of the earthly kings of Persia and Grecia. This explains why “the prince of Tyrus” is spoken of, not only as a man trafficking in “gold and silver”–as earthly kings and rulers do–but also as a celestial being, “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty,” who was “in Eden the garden of God,” and who had the title “the anointed cherub that covereth.” (See Ezek. 28:1-15.) So he was one of the cherubim, connected with the throne of God, till “iniquity was found in him” and he was cast out as “profane” from the Mountain of God, “from the midst of the stones of fire.” From this point on he becomes God’s “adversary”; and this is the meaning of the word “Satan.” The king of Babylon was a real man, who oppressed the nations; but in prophetic insight, as Isaiah prophesied concerning the “king of Babylon” (Isa. 14:4), suddenly he sees the situation as something that originated in the heavens:
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning” (vs. 12).
So Isaiah clearly identifies the “king of Babylon” with “Lucifer, son of the morning”; for it was Lucifer that was working behind the scenes, through the earthly king of Babylon, to oppress the earth and God’s people. The one who said in ages past, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exealt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). There is an earthly king of Babylon; but there is his spiritual counterpart (“the god of this world”, “the prince of the power of the air”), who rules over the corrupt political, economic, and religious systems of the world.
A note from this blogger in accordance with the teaching of Jesus. Satan was a liar from the beginning. He was in the garden of Eden and he was cursed by God. He stood in defiance of God and man from the beginning. (John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it). The name Lucifer refers to Adam. He was the son of the morning until iniquity was found in him.
As the heirs of salvation, what a comfort it is to know that we have angels (or ministering spirits) sent from God to minister on our behalf. (See Heb. 1:14.) There are many who have actually seen these ministering angels. But as a corporate people of God we also have the Cherubim as our spiritual allies, and this is what we want to consider in greater detail.
A Corporate Four-Faced Man
The “heavens were opened” to Ezekiel as he sat with the captives by the river of Chebar, and this is what he saw: “And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it… also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings” (Ezek. 1:4-6). John on Patmos saw the same creatures, which he described in almost identical language: “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts [living ones] full of eyes before and behind, And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle” (Rev. 4:5-7). These creatures were not animals as we know them. But with our feeble understanding God has seen fit to relate heavenly realities to us in language we can understand so we might know the significance of what He is saying. The sons of Israel are spoken of as having certain animal characteristics: one tribe has the symbol of the lion, another of the adder, or a strong ass, a serpent, a hind let loose, or a wolf. John speaks of Jesus as the Iamb of God. And Jesus likens His own to “sheep,” the hypocrisy of the Pharisees to “serpents” or “vipers,” the craftiness of Herod to a “fox.” Knowing the nature of these animals we understand why these illustrations were used.
And so here in Ezekiel, and in the book of Revelation, the prophets saw the likeness of a man. Remember this. They saw these four faces of certain animals, but Ezekiel said the cherubim had the likeness of a man (1:5). And in their four faces we are reminded of the character of Christ Himself:
The Face of a Man. For He was Man in every sense of the word: acquainted with human suffering and aware of human need; tempted, tried, and approved in the crucible of human life; and conquering as Man.
The Face of a Lion. Fearless, powerful, strong, the king of beasts; relentless in pursuit of his prey; sudden and devastating in his attack on the enemy; one who rules and reigns in power and authority.
The Face of an Ox. Faithful, laborious, unassuming, unseeking, submissive, teachable; content with a handful of corn as he treads out the grain on the threshing floor; and finally giving up his life when his days of usefulness are over.
The Face of an Eagle. Watchful; detached from earthly pursuits and activities; oriented to heavenly places; disdainful of the cares and pursuits of mankind; having a free and soaring spirit.
Now God has found such a Man in His only begotten Son; but He will have others like Him. And the Cherubim are there in the heavens as our spiritual counterpart, and commissioned to minister on behalf of those whom He has chosen for this high calling, just as they were once commissioned to “keep the way of the tree of life” and to bar sinful man from the presence of God. Jesus the perfect Son of Man is beautifully portrayed with these four faces, in the four Gospels:
Matthew. Here we see Him as the Lion. He is King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. And as we would expect for a King, His genealogy is carefully traced right back to David, whose kingdom was to be eternal; and to Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel.
Mark. Here we have the Ox. Christ is portrayed here as a servant, the obedient One. The keyword in Mark is “straightway.” He is ever about His Father’s business. He is just a servant. Mark recounts no genealogy. Who cares about the genealogy of a servant?
Luke. Here we see the Man, the ideal Man. His genealogy is traced right back to the first man, because the Second Man must come forth from the First Man in order to bring about our redemption. But the Second Man came to begin a new race of beings like Himself. This is therefore the last genealogy in the Bible; for in Christ all genealogy has come to a complete and final end. He is the Last Adam… the last of that old race. How then could there be another genealogy? You do injustice to the One Who fulfilled all genealogy if you go about trying to establish another one, or to perpetuate the genealogy that came to an end when Christ died on the cross. And so the apostle tells us to ignore “endless genealogies.” They serve no purpose. They only minister “questions,” disputes that lead to strife, rather than “godly edifying.” (Paul classifies “genealogies” along with “fables.” See 1 Tim. 1:4.) We must find our genealogy in union with the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, or we remain under the curse of the first man.
John. Here we see the Eagle. Once again there is no genealogy; for John’s Gospel is about the Logos, the Word that was “with God” and “was God.” His was a timeless beginning. He is the Divine One. And so it is John who speaks about the Word of Life, the Light of Life, the Water of Life, the Bread of Life, the Resurrection and the Life. His is a free and soaring spirit. He lives in the heavenlies. Even on earth He was the “Son of man which is in heaven” as He walked in union with the Father.
Now Jesus came from heaven to earth that as Man He might walk in the pathway of sonship and be made “perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10); and some Christians think because we are men we must go to heaven to enter into that kind of perfect obedience. It is here on earth that the Lord would teach us His way, and cause us to walk in the pathway that has for its intention the reproduction of the Christ-life within us. Therefore we are exhorted to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery [or, ‘a thing to be grasped after’] to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation [or, ‘he emptied himself’]” (Phil. 2:5-7).
This is the pathway to the throne. It is far, far from the way of Lucifer, who said: “I will ascend… I will be like the Most High.”
Rather, the Son of God said, “I will go down… I will become a man… I will become a servant. . . I will become a slave…”
Notice these four faces of the Cherubim in the passage we have quoted:
He was in the form of God… the Eagle.
He emptied Himself and became… the Man.
He humbled Himself, as a slave… the Ox.
Wherefore God hath exalted Him… the Lion.
We must always recognize that we “see through a glass darkly” and that we only “know in part.” But it is evident from the scriptures that these living creatures in the heavens have been commissioned of the Lord to minister to His people in the earth. Notice that these characteristics are opposites, and only in union with Christ do we know this blending of meekness with strength: of the lowliness of true manhood with the nature and character of God. And so we find these four faces in pairs: the Eagle opposite the Man, and the Lion opposite the Ox. Without this difficult yet glorious combination, we could become very much one-faced and one-sided, making for an improper balance: strong as a lion, bold, powerful, unrelenting… but so unlike Christ without the humility and meekness of the ox. Or we might be humble, hard-working, unassuming, submissive… all of which are very commendable. But there are times when along with this character we need to stand unfalteringly in the face of the foe when an assault is made against God’s people. With the Lion-face we might say, “I certainly will not stand for that,” and take matters into our own hands. But with the Ox-face we might say, “Just pray about it… God will work it out,” when there is need for bold action. It is just not natural for the Lion and the Ox to work together, to live together, to be together… to agree. But God must have these two faces in one.
Then there is the Eagle and Man combination. We have those in the Church who are very human, very down to earth in their approach to life and ministry. They are concerned about human need: do what they can to alleviate human suffering, become involved in works of charity to help the poor and needy. And of course this is part of following Christ. But very often we do not find these people in the least concerned about making God their supreme quest in life, or walking in intimate fellowship with Him, or in fact even desiring to know anything more about the deeper life–the life that is hid with Christ in God. They are just too busy working for God. And they make sly jokes about the man who is “so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good”–a slogan that has been quoted so much, some almost think it is a scripture. But of course we can go to the other extreme: completely withdraw from human associations in order to draw near to God… become involved with deeper truths… always seeking to fellowship with God on a higher plane, and to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling, And in pursuing all this there may be no concern for human need… no real sense of responsibility… and no thought of getting involved with mankind and their problems. It is a simple case of the Man and the Eagle refusing to associate. It is just not natural to do so. Man loves the city life, while the eagle disdains it; he wants the loneliness of the mountain tops, and the freedom of the heavens. But God in His plan for His people would work in us the nature of Christ, so as to have at one and the same time, the face of the Man and the face of the Eagle together with the face of the Ox and the face of the Lion. Not a two-faced man but a four-faced man–each face walking straight forward! “They turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward” (Ezek. 1:9). Now this is just impossible! Faces on four sides, and each face going straight forward! “Whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went” (vs. 12). Impossible! But this is what Ezekiel saw. And this is what God has designed… for His Son, and for those who come into union with Him.
The Wheels Of God’s Purposes
We have caught a glimpse of the heavenly scene… but here we are on earth. How can we identify with it? Well, Ezekiel saw a connecting link with the earth. “Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces” (Ezek. 1:15). The age-long prayer of the Church has been, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven…” God has set in motion in the heavens those spiritual forces and operations that are necessary to combat the powers of darkness, and to bring His chosen ones in the earth the help and the support that they need to be totally victorious. By faith and obedience and submission to the will of God we are able to strengthen our bonds with the Kingdom of Heaven; and by simply walking in the Spirit we find ourselves walking in total harmony and union with the armies of heaven. So, as the living creatures stand before the throne, and surround the throne–immersed in light, and reverberating the commands of God–here on earth “the wheels of the Cherubim” begin to move and rotate in perfect union with their counterparts in the heavens. In Psalm 18 we have a beautiful picture of an incident in David’s life that caused the LORD of Hosts to mobilize all the armies of heaven on his behalf. David was in great trouble and he cried unto God, and look what happened:
“In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried unto my God:
He heard my voice out of his temple,
And my cry came before him,
Even into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled;
The foundations also of the hills moved
And were shaken,
Because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils,
And fire out of his mouth devoured:
Coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down:
And darkness was under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly:
Yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind”
(Psa. 18:6-10).
It sounds like a total mobilization of the armies of heaven… and it was set in motion when a man of God in the midst of great distress called upon the LORD, and God heard his cry. As we come into union with Christ and walk in harmony with God, we are going to find ourselves in complete accord with the movements of the heavenly realm. “And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up… for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them” (Ezek. 1:19-21). What perfect harmony and coordination!
A Wheel Within A Wheel
“And their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel” (Ezek. 1:16).
Everything that God does is but a part of a far greater work that He has in mind. We see the one wheel in motion and we cannot reconcile it with our understanding because there is another wheel going in an opposite direction. But in God’s plan and purpose there is no disharmony. It is just that we cannot understand. The inner wheel seems to be moving right, and then we look without and the outer wheel seems to be contrary. There are so many opposites in our lives that we often wonder if we are going in the right direction. If we see the Ox going straightforward, then surely the Lion must be backing up. Or if we see the Man walking straight forward, then surely the Eagle must be flying backwards. But no! Each face moves straight forward. Paul speaks of these opposites, and shows how it takes the opposites to bring forth the life that is approved in God’s sight:
“By the armour of righteousness
On the right hand and on the left,
By honour and dishonour,
By evil report and good report:
As deceivers, and yet true;
As unknown, and yet well known;
As dying, and, behold we live;
As chastened, and not killed;
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;
As poor, yet making many rich;
As having nothing, and yet possessing all things”
(2 Cor. 6:7-10).
God’s chosen ones are called upon to experience much perplexity as they seek to walk in a pathway that they know the Lord requires, and yet that pathway does not always seem to lead them to the proper goal. They move forward at the command of the Lord, and hoist their sail for the other shore… and then the winds are contrary, and they find themselves getting nowhere, and they fear they will flounder. Then in their distress they cry unto the Lord, and He comes to them in the darkness of the night, walking upon the sea. And when He steps into the boat… there is a great calm!
God help us to “set our affections on those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” Cause us to know that we are partakers of a heavenly calling, citizens of another world, and that we are under the watch-care of the Lord of Hosts, and the armies of Heaven. For it is only as we become oriented to heavenly realities that we will be able to minister truth and righteousness in the earth, to remove the veil of darkness and unbelief that lies upon the hearts of men, and cause them to see the outshining of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is not true that we can become so heavenly-minded that we are of no earthly-good! It is only the heavenly mind, the mind of Christ, that will enable His servants to show forth the Light of the Gospel in a world of sin and darkness.
Abominations In The Temple
With this glorious introduction into the heavenly realm, Ezekiel was carried by the Spirit to the people that were already in captivity, and to Jerusalem itself, to see and to observe the abominations that have defiled God’s people, and to warn the people of the judgments that lay before them. His mandate was a very heavy burden for him to bear, and he needed the vision of the Glory of God to know the strength and the assurance that he would move in harmony with the spiritual world, and minister (like the wheels of the Cherubim) in union with the Glory of God. Let us observe briefly how the Glory of God moved in the midst of the captive people along with His servant Ezekiel, and finally returned to His habitation in the heavens.
1. The Glory With The Captivity
“Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels… then I came to them of the captivity” (Ezek. 3:12-13, 15).
There Ezekiel sat down astonished with the other captives. Nothing to say. He was moving in the Spirit. Unless God would speak, nothing he would say would he effective, For seven days he sat dumb. Then God spoke and gave him a commission and a mandate to be “a watchman unto the house of Israel.” As a watchman set there in Israel by God, he would be absolutely dumb until God gave him a word. Then when God opened his mouth he would speak. God’s prophets must learn that they do not minister to the people because they are prophets. They minister effectually only when God opens their mouth, and gives them the Word from His heart that His people need.
“Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar” (Ezek. 3:23).
2. The Glory At The Inner Gate Of The Temple
“And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there” (Ezek. 8:3-4). Here they had erected an altar to another deity, right at the gate where the priests would enter and depart in their priestly service. God is a jealous God. Jealous is one of His names (Ex. 84:14). Yet He is merciful and in the midst of these abominations He visits His people… to turn them from their evil ways.
Then the Lord took Ezekiel on a tour of the Temple area, and showed him all the abominations that were being perpetrated by an apostate priesthood. There were creeping things in the house of God: abominable beasts… idols portrayed upon the wall… the leader of the elders offering incense to false gods… women at one of the gates weeping over a heathen god (Tammuz) who was believed to have died; and they were in mourning because of this… men worshipping the sun in the location of the brazen sea (between the porch and the altar), where God had intended a washing and a cleansing of His people. Beloved, there are a lot of creeping things in the House of God today… and there are going to be some strong words against it by His anointed servants.
3. The Glory Moves To The Door Of The House
“And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house” (Ezek. 9:3).
God was about to judge His sanctuary. But first He would put a “mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (Ezek. 9:4). God always preserves for Himself a faithful remnant, no matter how great are the abominations. And God will spare them in the day of His wrath. Ezekiel, a true priest and watchman, cried aloud unto God when His judgments began to fall, but it was too late. God said, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not” (Ezek. 9:9).
4. The Glory Fills The House
“Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory” (Ezek. 10:4).
The sound of His glory reverberated throughout the whole Temple, even to the outer court. But first God must judge His sanctuary, and cleanse it. Beloved, let us be assured that His Glory is coming to His Temple once again in this hour, to purge and to purify His people from the abominations that are committed in our midst. And when this happens His Word will go forth “even to the outer court.” There are those in the Church who have gone no further than the altar and the sacrifice. Yet even these areas are going to see and behold His Glory when the House is filled with the Lord’s brightness. When His Glory comes to His people it will mean cleansing and purifying for the people of God who submit to His dealings… but it will not change the rebellious and obstinate of heart. Jesus has warned us, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23).
5. The Glory Moves To The Eastern Gate
“Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims… the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above” (Ezek. 10:18-19).
God had purged the sanctuary; for His judgments must always begin at the house of God. Now He would begin to deal with Jerusalem the people who had no part in the priesthood but who were nevertheless a part of the nation. As Ezekiel prophesied to them concerning the impending judgments of God one of the princes of the people fell down dead. Beloved, when the Glory of God returns to His people we are going to witness some very severe judgments. In the early Church we are told “no man durst join himself” to this company of believers, because of the fear of God in their midst. No need to advertise the meetings in those days. The people will know all about it, and will stay away, unless they are prepared to come face-to-face with God in His holy Temple. It was not Peter that slew Ananias and Sapphira. It was the glory of God that was in their midst and cleansing and judging His Temple.
When the prince of the people fell down dead, Ezekiel fell on his face before God and cried aloud for God to have mercy. We feel greatly concerned and fearful for God’s ministers who boast, or secretly rejoice, in the judgments of God that have fallen on those who opposed them. God’s true priests will lament such drastic dealings, and cry unto God for mercy.
And now in the midst of a heavy word of judgment, God brings forth the promise of a New Covenant:
“I will give them one heart,
And I will put a new spirit within you;
And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
And will give them an heart of flesh”
(Ezek. 11:19).
Ezekiel has much to say about the New Covenant. When the law has fulfilled its purpose, and man has recognized his total failure before God, God reveals a New Covenant that cannot fail, because it is entirely the work of His own Spirit living in the hearts of men. God did not promise Israel a New Covenant because of any worthiness in them, but in spite of their sin and rebellion. God emphasizes this: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen” (Ezek. 36:22). We need to remember this, when we get to wondering how we could ever have a revival of God’s glory. God is not doing it for our sakes, but for His holy Name’s sake! He is jealous for His holy Name’s sake. He will not tolerate His holy Name being polluted in the earth because of those who are called by His Name, and He is going to do something about it! He is going to have a holy and a cleansed people in the earth, for His own Name’s sake!
6. The Glory Moves To The Mountain On The East
“And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city” (Ezek. 11:23).
And so Jesus, the Glory of God in human form, led His disciples out as far as Bethany, on the east of Jerusalem, and from there returned unto the bosom of the Father. But as surely as the Glory of God departs, He will come again, And on the Day of Pentecost, just 50 days after His resurrection, He came back again in the fullness of His Presence and Glory. Once again there was a “voice of a great rushing” that Ezekiel heard. Once again the glory of the LORD was in “His place” (Ezek. 3:12). “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). Where were they sitting? Not in an upper room, but in the “house.” No doubt in the old Temple that was devoid of the glory, for we are told that the disciples, after the ascension of Jesus, “were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (Lk. 24:53). And right there in that old temple–which had served its purpose–God was bringing forth a new Temple, the Church of the living God, one “not made with hands,” but “living stones” of a far greater Temple, “a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Jesus went away from Bethany, which means “house of figs” or “dates.” And He will come back to Bethany, before He is seen of the world. He comes to the fruitful people. He comes for the perfect fruit. “Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain” (Jas. 5:7).
The Great High Priest In The Heavenly Sanctuary
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6).
Our High Priest is faithfully performing His ministry in the heavens… which is “more excellent” than any earthly ministry could ever be. He is mediating the New Covenant that God promised lie would fulfill in His people. And as Ezekiel tells us, it is for His holy Name’s sake that He must have this cleansed and holy Temple in the earth. Too long has His Name been blasphemed among the nations. His glory will yet come back to His Temple… and this cleansed and sanctified Temple occupies much of the latter part of Ezekiel’s prophecy.
“And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory” (Ezek. 43:2).
Daniel saw the same One: “His face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude” (Dan. 10:6).
John saw Him also: “In the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as aflame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters” (Rev. 1:13-15).
As we compare these scriptures we can’t avoid recognizing that these prophets are describing the same awesome Man, though perhaps in different settings.
It was from the eastern gate that the Glory departed from the old temple. And Ezekiel saw Him returning “from the way of the east”… His voice was “like a noise of many waters,” because now He is in union with the many springs of water from Zion, joined unto Him in one Body. “And the earth shined with His glory” because this new Temple will be everywhere in the earth, wherever the people of the Lord may dwell:
“And the LORD will create Upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, And upon her assemblies, A cloud and smoke by day, And the shining of a flaming fire by night: For upon all the glory shall be a defence [or, a covering]” (Isa. 4:5).
One Holy City, one Mount Zion… but comprised of many “assemblies” who gather in His Name throughout all the earth, with He the Lord of Glory, the LORD, in their midst.
Rivers Of Water From The Temple
“And, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward… down from under the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (Ezek. 47:1).
In a former vision Ezekiel heard the noise of the wings of the cherubim “like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host” (Ezek. 1:24).
Great waters… the voice of the Almighty… the noise of a host! No wonder, for it is the heavenly hosts in union with the earthly hosts… the cherubim and the wheels… the many sons in union with the Only Begotten, and accompanied by all the allied armies of the celestial realm. John saw the One like unto the Son of man, “clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” He is our great High Priest in the heavens. The Greek word for “paps” here is “mastos”, a word that is used only of a woman; for it is Christ in union with His Bride, in one Body. “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow,” for the hoary head speaks of maturity and wisdom, For He is the Ancient of Days that Daniel saw, but now joined unto a Body that has come to maturity and full stature–a holy Bride that has become one with Him. “His eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass,” for He walks in the fullness of illumination and understanding, discerns all hidden things, walks in purity and holiness and righteousness with feet that have known the judgments of the brazen altar, and the fiery cleansing of the brazen sea. “And the voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude” (Dan. 10:6)… “as the sound of many waters” (Rev. 1:15). Many, many voices mingling together in the Body of Christ; no longer with the confusion of Babel such as we know today… rather with the flowing harmony of many springs of water that flow together in the great River of God. Ezekiel saw this great river flowing out from the Temple of God, “which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed” (Ezek. 47:8). John saw the same river. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1). And the psalmist saw it too…
“There is a river,
The streams whereof shall make glad
The city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacles
Of the most High”
(Psa. 46:4).
The River of God… full of water… a river that heals the land whithersoever it floweth.
Let us notice the characteristics of this pure River, For the cleansing of the leper in the Old Testament a living bird must be dipped in “living water” (that is, clean flowing water) that contained the blood of a dead bird. The fountain that was opened “to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1), this fountain contains the ingredient of “precious Blood.” It is the Spirit of God flowing in the hearts and lives of God’s people that washes them in the blood of Christ, and causes them to be “pure, even as He is pure.” It is the River of God that flows with pure, clean, refreshing water from the throne of God.
But after the cleansing, there is nourishment from it also… because it also flows with milk… and new wine…
“And it shall come to pass in that day,
That the mountains shall drop down new wine,
And the hills shall flow with milk,
And all the rivers of Judah
Shall flow with waters,
And a fountain shall come forth
Of the house of the LORD,
And shall water the valley of Shittim”
(Joel 3:18).
Refreshing waters from the House of the LORD to water the land, to cause fertility and growth, and to bring forth all manner of fruit each season… and with leaves “for the healing of the nations.”
And new wine to bring joy instead of mourning, and to gladden the hearts of men.
And the milk of truth to nourish and strengthen the little ones! The “sincere milk of the Word” that God has provided for babes in Christ!
There is so much in Ezekiel’s vision that we have not touched upon. But we must comment briefly on this beautiful and almost poetic passage in Ezekiel 41:7:
“And there was an enlarging,
And a winding about still upward
To the side chambers:
For the winding about of the house
Went still upward round about the house:
Therefore the breadth of the house
Was still upward…”
Still upward! Still upward! Still upward! Ours is a “high calling”–an “upward calling.”
Oh, how God desires to lift the veil from the eyes of His people, and cause them to know that there are realms in the length and the breadth and the height and the depth of His love that we have never known! “The high calling of God in Christ Jesus” is an upward calling (Phil. 3:14). If we see only the height of the call we would be inclined to say it is too high! But it is an upward calling. We need only to take one step at a time, and follow as He gives more grace.
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Isaiah 11:1-2 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isaiah 37:31-32 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
Jeremiah 33:14-15 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
Zechariah 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mark 4:26-32 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Luke 8:4-15 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians 3:7-11 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:17, 19, 21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. … To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. … For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-24 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Revelation 21:2-5 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
2 Peter 1:2-7 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
DILIGENCE- earnest striving. As Paul said, “I press on.” Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark (Jesus) for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
ADD TO YOUR FAITH- 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
VIRTUE- Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
KNOWLEDGE- Proverbs 2:1-6 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
TEMPERANCE- self-control. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
PATIENCE- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
GODLINESS- 1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
BROTHERLY KINDNESS- Acts 4:32-35 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
CHARITY- love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:…
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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