The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible - Part Twenty-Two - H Nov 29, 2020 by: John Herbert | Series: The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible Audio Study Notes PDF https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T035_20201129.mp3 Refresh A Recap from the Sermon Re 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things..... Today we will look at the warning at the end of the Book of the Revelation. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday November 29th 2020 The Word of God A Survey of the Bible – Lesson 22H This is the Day 1). Re 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. We will remember that the correct title for the Book we call ‘Revelation’, is ‘the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ’. This is the Book in which all that is to be found in the Scriptures about Jesus the Christ is ‘unveiled’ in its fulness and brought to completion. a). It is a Book that deals with ‘things which must shortly take place’, things that will happen suddenly, and has been specifically given to show these ‘things’ to His servants – the eternally saved of this dispensation. Or to make this even more personal, to us. b). And we have seen that those who read the words of this prophecy and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and then ‘keep the things which are written in it’ – who embrace the certainty of what will suddenly happen as the governing discipline of their lives, will be blessed. c). And this blessing, which is on offer, is inextricably connected to the beginning of the Revelation of Jesus Christ – the revealing of Christ as Judge with the presence of all Christians before His Judgment Seat. This is an inevitable encounter that has to do with faithful obedience and the salvation of the soul. d). The Judgment Seat is where the course of our experience for the next 1000 years will be determined, and the time is near when we shall appear there. Suddenly, this life will be over, and life or death will follow with respect to the Kingdom Age. e). And then if we go to the end of the Book we find, in contrast to the promised blessing at the beginning, is a warning – Re 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book [tree] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. A warning that echoes the same warning found in – Pr 30:6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Both the blessing and the warning are for us and relate to either life or death in the Millennial Kingdom, depending upon how we will have responded to the things we have heard, the ‘food’ we have eaten – Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. This can be clearly seen in 22:19 where those who would add to or take away from ‘this prophecy’, which would have to be works apart from faith, that which is the lie, will have their part taken away from the Book/tree of life, which can only be Millennial in its scope. f). And it is interesting to note that in the final Chapters of the Revelation, even when the endless ages come into view, that there is a constant reminder of the consequences for Christians at the Judgment Seat. 2). Re 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” As we have seen in previous studies, v1-6a are dealing with conditions that will exist during the endless ages. a). V6b -8 then drop back to make clear that those who are overcomers from this dispensation will inherit ‘all things’, but those who will be overcome are seen in connection with the second death. And within our immediate context, those who will inherit all things will be the ones in receipt of the promise seen at the beginning of the Book, those who will have ‘kept’ that written in the prophecy. And those overcome will be those who did not keep what was written, who did not heed the warning at the end of the Book, who will have embraced the lie. b). And then following this insert concerning Christians and the Kingdom Age, v9-27 take us forward once again, to a description of the New Jerusalem as it will be during the endless ages. c). Chapter 22 begins by continuing to describe the conditions that will exist in the endless ages, but then drops back to give more commentary with respect to the Christian’s appearance at the Judgment Seat and the Kingdom Age to follow – Re 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Now, we should be asking ourselves the question, ‘Why when dealing with the endless ages does the Lord continue to take us back to the Judgment Seat to remind us about the outcome for overcomers, and those who will be found to have been overcome? d). The answer to the question is simple enough – the 7th Day and the regality which can be ours in that Day is the focus of Scripture. This is the purpose for our eternal salvation and God’s purpose for creating Man and has been set in place from the beginning – Ge 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Rulership in the 7th Day and the ‘so great salvation’ that goes hand in hand with it, is what the Scriptures are all about. The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the revealing or unveiling of everything to do with the Christ and His regal purpose in the 7th Day and beyond. And because that seen in both the OT and NT Scriptures are brought to fulfillment in this Book, the Revelation cannot be separated from the Scriptures as a whole. e). Therefore, to hear the words of this prophecy is to hear the words of the totality of the Scriptures. To add to or take away from the words of this prophecy is to add to or take away from the totality of the Scriptures, not the Book of the Revelation in isolation – 2 Ti 3:14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. So, as the totality of the Scriptures has the 7th Day as its focus, the Revelation of the One begotten for this very Day can only be the same. 3). What would it mean then to add to or take away from the totality of the Scriptures, to cause us to be found a liar? The beginning of our answer can be found in Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, as he made his journey to Rome - Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Paul declared himself to be ‘innocent of the blood of all men’ because he had, through his ministry, preached ‘the whole counsel of God.’ a). Not only then is it the whole counsel of God that must be preached, but also the whole counsel of God that we must hear and study and keep, if we are to progress to that place of spiritual maturity in order to receive the reward of the inheritance. b). And it is God’s counsel that we must hear, not Man’s counsel – 1 Pe 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is God breathed and has been recorded by those who were moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. It is entirely unique in that it is alive – Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful……….. And it is this same Word of God which became flesh in Jesus the Christ. c). Although anyone may comprehend the words of Scripture written on the page, as with any other piece of writing, these same words can only be understood spiritually, by those who have spiritual life – 1 Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Man’s wisdom cannot be applied to the Scriptures, nor can Man’s wisdom be used in the interpretation of Scripture or to prove the Scriptures validity – Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. The warning in v8 is quite clear, giving heed to philosophy, empty deceit or the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, will cheat us out of the inheritance we have been promised. Rather we are to be ‘established in the faith’ as we have been taught. d). And worse, if we should take the wisdom of Man and see it to be of equal value to the Scriptures in shaping what we believe from them; or worse still, if we should try to apply man’s wisdom to the requirements for the salvation of the soul, then we will already have embraced the lie with the consequences that come with that – 1 Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men………. And the wisdom of this world, the wisdom of Man – his ideologies, philosophies and traditions – if embraced, can be responsible for either adding to or taking away from the Scriptures. e). When it comes to truth, Scripture is the only absolute. There may be many things that are true, but Scripture is the only truth – Ps 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. There is no other way than this. Perhaps we will remember Chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews where the phrase ‘by faith’ is used 18 times – Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Our understanding of the universe and God’s appointed ages in relation to it don’t come by looking through a telescope or having an atomic clock, but ‘by faith.’ Anything else is at best a distraction. 4). Ga 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The ideologies, philosophies and traditions of men are also manifest through the presentation of a ‘gospel’ that is other than the gospel of grace and/or the gospel of the glory of Christ. A doctrine that will either add to or take away from the gospel that Paul says, ‘came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ a). These false gospels would have originally been introduced by the tares at the beginning of the dispensation, the work of the false teachers that has leavened the 3 measures of meal and brought about the Laodicean state of the church in these last days. b). It is interesting that in these days, in the natural, the world seems incapable of distinguishing that which is true from that which is false, preferring conspiracy to reality, and the church over the centuries has done no better – 2 Ti 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Pe 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. In the totality of the Scriptures alone is our safety and security and through embracing the totality of the Scriptures alone will come the salvation of our soul as we become doers of the word and not hearers only. c). The Lord Himself said it to us this way – Jn 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has age lasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the food allotted to us. Eating anything else will make us full so that we would deny Him. I know we will have said this before, but as a reminder, just because something has the prefix ‘Christian’ does not of itself make it OK, or even of any spiritual value. We need to stick to the only diet that will give us health, vitality and life for the age to come – the Word of God. 5). Finally – 2 Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening [desiring earnestly] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Through our survey of the Bible, we have come to know that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night’ for those who are not prepared for it. And we have come to know that at the end of the Millennial Kingdom the present earth and the heavens associated with it will be destroyed and will be replaced by a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell. And knowing these things the Lord asks us the question through Peter, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening [desiring earnestly] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Knowing the certainty of these things and then eagerly anticipating their arrival, how should our lives be led now? What kind of people should we be now? Presupposing of course that we are eagerly anticipating all that is coming and not just giving it lip service. a). And just in case we might falter in being able to answer the question, we are then given the answer – 2 Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. We are to be diligent now, to be found by Him in peace, being settled and sure about what awaits us in the near future. Not being anxious about this life but being focused on the certainty of life promised for the age to come. b). We are to be ‘without spot and blameless’ – Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. We can only be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word if we are to be without spot and blameless – the totality of the Scriptures which we are to keep, which we must not add to or take away from, about which we are warned, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked And because of which we are encouraged, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The One found throughout the Scriptures who is revealed in totality and completeness in the final Book of the Bible. c). Like ruth, we are to eat that provided for us at mealtime. d). Like Ruth, we are to wash ourselves, and anoint ourselves if we hope to put on our best garment. e). Like Ruth, we must only work in one field and stay close by those who are doing the same. f). Like Ruth, we must do all that the Scriptures say to us to do. Re 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus! The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible - Part Twenty-Two - H Nov 29, 2020 Speaker: John Herbert Series: The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible Category: Sunday Morning https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T035_20201129.mp3 Download Audio x
Refresh A Recap from the Sermon Re 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things..... Today we will look at the warning at the end of the Book of the Revelation. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday November 29th 2020 The Word of God A Survey of the Bible – Lesson 22H This is the Day 1). Re 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. We will remember that the correct title for the Book we call ‘Revelation’, is ‘the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ’. This is the Book in which all that is to be found in the Scriptures about Jesus the Christ is ‘unveiled’ in its fulness and brought to completion. a). It is a Book that deals with ‘things which must shortly take place’, things that will happen suddenly, and has been specifically given to show these ‘things’ to His servants – the eternally saved of this dispensation. Or to make this even more personal, to us. b). And we have seen that those who read the words of this prophecy and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and then ‘keep the things which are written in it’ – who embrace the certainty of what will suddenly happen as the governing discipline of their lives, will be blessed. c). And this blessing, which is on offer, is inextricably connected to the beginning of the Revelation of Jesus Christ – the revealing of Christ as Judge with the presence of all Christians before His Judgment Seat. This is an inevitable encounter that has to do with faithful obedience and the salvation of the soul. d). The Judgment Seat is where the course of our experience for the next 1000 years will be determined, and the time is near when we shall appear there. Suddenly, this life will be over, and life or death will follow with respect to the Kingdom Age. e). And then if we go to the end of the Book we find, in contrast to the promised blessing at the beginning, is a warning – Re 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book [tree] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. A warning that echoes the same warning found in – Pr 30:6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Both the blessing and the warning are for us and relate to either life or death in the Millennial Kingdom, depending upon how we will have responded to the things we have heard, the ‘food’ we have eaten – Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. This can be clearly seen in 22:19 where those who would add to or take away from ‘this prophecy’, which would have to be works apart from faith, that which is the lie, will have their part taken away from the Book/tree of life, which can only be Millennial in its scope. f). And it is interesting to note that in the final Chapters of the Revelation, even when the endless ages come into view, that there is a constant reminder of the consequences for Christians at the Judgment Seat. 2). Re 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” As we have seen in previous studies, v1-6a are dealing with conditions that will exist during the endless ages. a). V6b -8 then drop back to make clear that those who are overcomers from this dispensation will inherit ‘all things’, but those who will be overcome are seen in connection with the second death. And within our immediate context, those who will inherit all things will be the ones in receipt of the promise seen at the beginning of the Book, those who will have ‘kept’ that written in the prophecy. And those overcome will be those who did not keep what was written, who did not heed the warning at the end of the Book, who will have embraced the lie. b). And then following this insert concerning Christians and the Kingdom Age, v9-27 take us forward once again, to a description of the New Jerusalem as it will be during the endless ages. c). Chapter 22 begins by continuing to describe the conditions that will exist in the endless ages, but then drops back to give more commentary with respect to the Christian’s appearance at the Judgment Seat and the Kingdom Age to follow – Re 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Now, we should be asking ourselves the question, ‘Why when dealing with the endless ages does the Lord continue to take us back to the Judgment Seat to remind us about the outcome for overcomers, and those who will be found to have been overcome? d). The answer to the question is simple enough – the 7th Day and the regality which can be ours in that Day is the focus of Scripture. This is the purpose for our eternal salvation and God’s purpose for creating Man and has been set in place from the beginning – Ge 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Rulership in the 7th Day and the ‘so great salvation’ that goes hand in hand with it, is what the Scriptures are all about. The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the revealing or unveiling of everything to do with the Christ and His regal purpose in the 7th Day and beyond. And because that seen in both the OT and NT Scriptures are brought to fulfillment in this Book, the Revelation cannot be separated from the Scriptures as a whole. e). Therefore, to hear the words of this prophecy is to hear the words of the totality of the Scriptures. To add to or take away from the words of this prophecy is to add to or take away from the totality of the Scriptures, not the Book of the Revelation in isolation – 2 Ti 3:14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. So, as the totality of the Scriptures has the 7th Day as its focus, the Revelation of the One begotten for this very Day can only be the same. 3). What would it mean then to add to or take away from the totality of the Scriptures, to cause us to be found a liar? The beginning of our answer can be found in Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, as he made his journey to Rome - Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Paul declared himself to be ‘innocent of the blood of all men’ because he had, through his ministry, preached ‘the whole counsel of God.’ a). Not only then is it the whole counsel of God that must be preached, but also the whole counsel of God that we must hear and study and keep, if we are to progress to that place of spiritual maturity in order to receive the reward of the inheritance. b). And it is God’s counsel that we must hear, not Man’s counsel – 1 Pe 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is God breathed and has been recorded by those who were moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. It is entirely unique in that it is alive – Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful……….. And it is this same Word of God which became flesh in Jesus the Christ. c). Although anyone may comprehend the words of Scripture written on the page, as with any other piece of writing, these same words can only be understood spiritually, by those who have spiritual life – 1 Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Man’s wisdom cannot be applied to the Scriptures, nor can Man’s wisdom be used in the interpretation of Scripture or to prove the Scriptures validity – Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. The warning in v8 is quite clear, giving heed to philosophy, empty deceit or the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, will cheat us out of the inheritance we have been promised. Rather we are to be ‘established in the faith’ as we have been taught. d). And worse, if we should take the wisdom of Man and see it to be of equal value to the Scriptures in shaping what we believe from them; or worse still, if we should try to apply man’s wisdom to the requirements for the salvation of the soul, then we will already have embraced the lie with the consequences that come with that – 1 Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men………. And the wisdom of this world, the wisdom of Man – his ideologies, philosophies and traditions – if embraced, can be responsible for either adding to or taking away from the Scriptures. e). When it comes to truth, Scripture is the only absolute. There may be many things that are true, but Scripture is the only truth – Ps 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. There is no other way than this. Perhaps we will remember Chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews where the phrase ‘by faith’ is used 18 times – Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Our understanding of the universe and God’s appointed ages in relation to it don’t come by looking through a telescope or having an atomic clock, but ‘by faith.’ Anything else is at best a distraction. 4). Ga 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The ideologies, philosophies and traditions of men are also manifest through the presentation of a ‘gospel’ that is other than the gospel of grace and/or the gospel of the glory of Christ. A doctrine that will either add to or take away from the gospel that Paul says, ‘came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ a). These false gospels would have originally been introduced by the tares at the beginning of the dispensation, the work of the false teachers that has leavened the 3 measures of meal and brought about the Laodicean state of the church in these last days. b). It is interesting that in these days, in the natural, the world seems incapable of distinguishing that which is true from that which is false, preferring conspiracy to reality, and the church over the centuries has done no better – 2 Ti 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Pe 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. In the totality of the Scriptures alone is our safety and security and through embracing the totality of the Scriptures alone will come the salvation of our soul as we become doers of the word and not hearers only. c). The Lord Himself said it to us this way – Jn 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has age lasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the food allotted to us. Eating anything else will make us full so that we would deny Him. I know we will have said this before, but as a reminder, just because something has the prefix ‘Christian’ does not of itself make it OK, or even of any spiritual value. We need to stick to the only diet that will give us health, vitality and life for the age to come – the Word of God. 5). Finally – 2 Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening [desiring earnestly] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Through our survey of the Bible, we have come to know that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night’ for those who are not prepared for it. And we have come to know that at the end of the Millennial Kingdom the present earth and the heavens associated with it will be destroyed and will be replaced by a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell. And knowing these things the Lord asks us the question through Peter, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening [desiring earnestly] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Knowing the certainty of these things and then eagerly anticipating their arrival, how should our lives be led now? What kind of people should we be now? Presupposing of course that we are eagerly anticipating all that is coming and not just giving it lip service. a). And just in case we might falter in being able to answer the question, we are then given the answer – 2 Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. We are to be diligent now, to be found by Him in peace, being settled and sure about what awaits us in the near future. Not being anxious about this life but being focused on the certainty of life promised for the age to come. b). We are to be ‘without spot and blameless’ – Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. We can only be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word if we are to be without spot and blameless – the totality of the Scriptures which we are to keep, which we must not add to or take away from, about which we are warned, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked And because of which we are encouraged, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The One found throughout the Scriptures who is revealed in totality and completeness in the final Book of the Bible. c). Like ruth, we are to eat that provided for us at mealtime. d). Like Ruth, we are to wash ourselves, and anoint ourselves if we hope to put on our best garment. e). Like Ruth, we must only work in one field and stay close by those who are doing the same. f). Like Ruth, we must do all that the Scriptures say to us to do. Re 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!