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At Pope Francis’s Homily at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, NY.
“Shows us a different way of measuring success. Ours is to plant the seeds. God sees to the fruits of our labors. And if at times our efforts and work seem to fail and not produce fruit we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ.”
“And His life, humanly speaking ended in Failure, the Failure of the Cross!”
All Scriptures quoted from: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Authorized King James, Red Letter Edition, The Open Bible, 1975.
2nd Peter 2:20 “For if after they have escaped the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (This means that they were washed by the Blood of Jesus for their sins when they repented on the Cross by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.)…they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
2nd Peter 2:21 “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them..”
2nd Peter 2:22 “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity (ends up practicing his sin), and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:“
Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
John 15:6 “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (You can’t depart unless you were once a part of).
2nd Peter 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
(To the Church at Sardis)
Revelation 3:1 “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
Revelation 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”
Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon Thee.”
Revelation 3:4 “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
Revelation 3:5 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name of the book of life (this tells us that names can be blotted out of the Book of Life), but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”
Revelation 3:6 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Romans 11:22 “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
(Jesus is speaking here to those that are His disciples and says,….)
Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
2nd Peter 2:14 “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”
2nd Peter 2:15 “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”
(When a person gets born again, then he / she becomes a temple of God)
1st Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
1st Corinthians 3:17 “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
2nd Corinthians 6:16 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, i will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
2nd Peter 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the haven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”
Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
Revelation 20:13 “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”
Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
(Do not be deceived into believing the
False Doctrine of “Once Saved Always Saved.)
1st Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
1st Timothy 4:2 “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;“
1st Timothy 4:3 “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
Galatians 1:6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
2nd Timothy 4:1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”
2nd Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2nd Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (This means that you are backslidden.)
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
1st Corinthians 3:17 “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;”
(A fire that will never be quenched,….
….REPENT OR PERISH !!!)
Mark 9:42 “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
Mark 9:43 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:”
Mark 9:44 “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
Mark 9:45 “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:”
Mark 9:46 “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
Mark 9:47 “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:”
Mark 9:48 “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
How many in your Church have been told that if you were once saved, that you are always saved? How many are sinning with the lust of their eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, watching their pornography, Alcohol users, Illegal Drug users, etc., but still think that they are going to heaven when they die because of that false doctrine?
Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.“
James 5:19 “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;”
James 5:20 “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Ask yourself this question Pastor: ….
“Do you want their blood on your hands?”
+All Scriptures quoted from: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. Authorized King James, Red Letter Edition, The Open Bible. 1975.
Obtain a copy of the Holy Word of God, the Bible (preferably in the King James Version) to verify for yourself the Promises of God.
Read the Word of God. See what the Lord and His Apostles have to say to you. Believe what you read and ask God to help you understand it. It is not enough to accept as a historical fact that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. It is necessary to believe His Word, to have confidence in it, and to apply it in your life.
Present yourself to God in trust and say to Him, “Lord, I believe what you tell me, I am a great sinner and that I am lost. I know in my heart that no man can grant me pardon, but that You can and You will. But first, I must come unto You of my own free will.”
Romans 10:9-10 is the Scriptural Passage where we find this promise of Salvation and what we must do to receive it.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)
“That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be Saved. For with the heart man believes unto Righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation.”
Romans 10:13 repeats God’s Promise of Salvation, a promise given to all men and women and children.
Romans 10:13 (KJV)
“For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Forgive all who have trespassed against you — asking God to help you to do so. Seek to demonstrate your forgiveness by some kindly deed and explain that your actions springs from your conversion to Christ — who commands you to do thus.
You should make a habit of not only reading the Bible every day, but seeking the Lord in prayer. Thank Him for your assurance of Salvation, and ask Him for His Guidance and that His Will be done. If you do so, you will see your prayers answered. But remember it is Not Once Saved and Always Saved.
Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit. It is He Who leads men into all truth.
John 16:13 (KJV)
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come He will guide you into all Truth.”
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
“But you shall receive Power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.”
With this Power of the Holy Spirit, you will sense a Revelation of Jesus Christ previously unknown. Offer all your prayers to God in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, praying to God Alone. He is infinite and only He can hear you.
It will not be necessary to ask you to abandon the superstitious practices of the Roman Catholic church. Your conscience will disclose the enormous contrast between these and the clear and simple teaching of the Word of God.
Do your best to find a church that believes in Salvation by Faith and in the mighty Baptism in the Holy Spirit. This will be a Church that wins souls. You should attend its Services and become allied with its people, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the World.
Do not hide the treasure of your discovery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Renounce all connections with your past and seek to let others share in that which God has given you. In this, you will fulfill Christ’s Command to take the Good News to every creature.
The Consequences
You may be vilified, despised, and even threatened. But remember, Christ was despised and suffered far beyond anything you will have to face.
Acts 16:31 (KJV)
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved (presents the most beautiful explanation of Salvation that could ever be given), and your house” (means that Salvation is not limited merely to the jailer, but is available to the entirety of his family as well, that is if they will meet the conditions of Faith in Christ required of them).
Put the teachings of our Lord into practice and show throughout your life that your Faith is real.
May God shed His Light in your soul and give you Grace as you now embark upon the trust Christian life.
NOTE: There is a book called “Christian Living: How to Succeed in the Christian Life” by R.A. Torrey and Edward D. Andrews which is available at www.Amazon.com. The price is currently at $19.95 for the Paperback book and $7.95 for the Kindle version. Here is the Glossary of this book.
There is another book that is easier to read called “Fast Track Christianity” by Mike Miles which is available from Brushfire Publications in Youngsville, LA, Phone No.: (337) 781-3280 for $10.00 (U.S.). Their email address mcmilesjr@yahoo.com. Information on how to obtain quantity order discounts on “Fast Track Christianity” available at this phone number and email address.
By R.A. Torrey and Edward D. Andrews
Introduction
Chapter 1 — Beginning Right
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 2 — Walking with God in the Beginning
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 3 — The Open Confession of Christ
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 4 — Assurance of Salvation
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 5 — Explaining Salvation
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 6 — Explaining Atonement
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 7 — Examine Yourselves to see whether You are of the Faith
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 8 — Receiving the Holy Spirit
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 9 –The Work of the Holy Spirit
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 10 –How are we to Understand the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 11 — The Holy Spirit in the First Century and Today
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 14 — Explaining Christianity
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 15 — Bible Study
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 16 — Hermenutics Explained
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 17 — Why Study the Bible?
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 18 — Interpreting with the Grammatical — Historical Method
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 19 — Clarity of Scripture
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 20 — Difficulties in the Bible
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 21 — Bible Difficulties Explained
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 22 — Prayer
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 23 — Does God Step in and Solve our every Problem because we are Faithful?
Edward D. Andrws
Chapter 24 — Working for Christ
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 25 — Those who may Dwell with God
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 26 — Foreign Missions
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 27 — Walk Humbly with Your God
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 28 — Companions
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 29 — Christian Way of Life
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 30 — Entertainment
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 31 — You must be Holy in all your Conduct
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 32 – Persecution
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 33 — Walk with God even in Times of Difficulty
Edward D. Andrews
Chapter 34 — Guidance
R.A. Torrey
Chapter 35 — Be Sound in Mind
Edward D. Andrews
Other Books of Torrey and Andrews
Bibliography
By Mike Miles
Chapter 1 — The War Begins
Chapter 2 — Pride, The Stumbling Block
Chapter 3 — Man Struggles / God Restores
Chapter 4 — Christianity vs. Other Religions
Chapter 5 — The Flawed Atheist Perpestive
Chapter 6 — Think you might be a Christian?
Chapter 7 — Christians & “Look-A-Likes”
Chapter 8 — Heaven is Optional
Chapter 9 — Adversity’s Silver Lining
Chapter 10 — Your Story / His Glory
Chapter 11 — Ambassadors of God’s Love
Chapter 12 — Escaping “Lukewarm”
Chapter 13 — “Knowing” the Lord
Chapter 14 — God’s Blueprint — The Bible
Chapter 15 — The Times and Mission of Jesus
Chapter 16 — In One Accord?
Chapter 17 — The Person of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 18 — Don’t Stop Him
Chapter 19 — Signs of the Times
Chapter 20 — The Deception of Compromise
Chapter 21 — Enemy Strongholds
Chapter 22 — Christian Weapons of War
Chapter 23 — Once Saved. Always Saved?
Chapter 24 — A Tale of Two Nations
Chapter 25 — God’s People Persecuted
Chapter 26 — The Counterfeit God
Chapter 27 — Rapture & The Second Coming
Chapter 28 — The Great White Harvest
Chapter 29 — Trinity Discipleship
Chapter 30 — The Last Chapter
Keys to an Effective Christian Lifestyle
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter”
We commonly call the Bible “The Word of God.” But what do we mean by that? Do we believe it offers a Divine message from Deity? Or do we really think it is just a collection of stories written by men alone? The simplest reader can open the pages of the Bible and learn about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, the tower of Babel, etc. These historical accounts are easy enough — they lay out the foundational principles for civilization and teach moral values by which we get along in society. But, is that all there is to biblical study — practical supplication?
Some Christians are comfortable with just a simple understanding of moral principles. Most sermons deal with practical applications of Scripture. However, a growing number of Christians desire to understand the metaphysical aspects — the mysterious teachings of the Bible — mysteries that give us a glimpse beyond the veil. These mystical teachings include such subjects as heaven, hell, eternity, angels, etc.
We all admit the existence of something beyond the grave, but many Christians let it go at that. They do not wish to get involved with subjects considered to be beyond our human experience.
There are strange stories — a flaming sword that guarded the gate of Eden; a burning bush on the slopes of Sinai; a pillar of fire that hovered over the camp of Israel for forty years; all of which we know very little.
Yet the Bible beckons us to learn more. We are admonished to study to show ourselves “…approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2nd Timothy 2:15).
The stages of ancient Israel taught four levels of biblical interpretation:
Peshat — the simple meaning of the Scripture taught in the Mishnah.
Remez — the “hint” level, practical instructions for intellectuals taught in the Gemara. The Mishnah and Gemara comprise the Talmud.
Drosh — meaning “to thresh,” yields special wisdom for political and religious leaders taught in the Midrash
Sood — The secret divine level — the “other-world sphere, teaching the prophetic aspects of Scripture, including the mysteries.
Each of these levels of study is thought to take the believer back toward the center of a spiritual Garden of Eden — to eventually reach the “tree of life.” The first letter of each Hebrew word spells PRDS, standing for “paradise.”
The Peshat level is simply the Primary Interpretation of Scripture. I consider the Remez and Drosh levels to be the Practical Application of Scripture. The Sood level is the most complicated of all — the Prophetic Implication of Scripture. Note that I call this level a study of “implication.” For the most part, prophecy is not explicit. It is implied — only for the spiritual eyes that can see it. Because of the very nature of this mysterious level, mistakes are commonplace.
One major mistake is that some Christians think this level allows them to prognosticate the future. it is true that prophets of the Bible were adherents of this Sood level and that they could look beyond the veil of the present and see the future. However, that does not mean that we can do the same. One great controversy over studying Bible prophecy is that some regard ministers like me to be nothing more than “crystal ball gazers.”
One can hardly blame the average Christian for being skeptical. For years, men have been setting unrealistic dates for the rapture, only to be ridiculed when their date came and went without incident. A candid observation of the very nature of eschatology leaves us to admit that, inevitably, one is led to search for the timing of Christ’s return. The most conservative scholar would concur that they search the Scriptures in hopes of learning more about the “time” of the end.
We who are Pre-millennialists look for the return of Christ at or near the beginning of the seventh millennium — that’s a date any way you look at it. “Pre” means “prior” to the millennium. We who are Pre-Tribulationists, with no apology, are looking for the rapture at or before the beginning of the tribulation. If these are not dates of some sort, what is?
We readily admit that we “see through a glass darkly.” There are mystical subjects in the Bible that we are incapable of comprehending. But should we ignore these subjects? No scientific investigator ever completely understood his subject before exploring it. Great inventions came out of mental explorations of little-known concepts. As men put their minds together, pieces of intellectual puzzles began to fit into place which, heretofore, had been secreted away — awaiting the day when they would come together as a result of investigation.
We look at Albert Einstein and respect him for being a mental genius. Yet, some look at theologians who walk in fields of the unknown and consider them to be heretics. may we be reminded that in 1632, the Roman Church considered Galilee to be a heretic, simply because he opened a new area of scientific thought. Largely, it is still the same today. If anything, we should hold our criticism of fellow theologians and wait to see what piece of the puzzle they might be able to contribute.
As far back as the days of Joseph, the “wise” were considered to be in search with God — channels of metaphysical wisdom. “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art” (Genesis 41:39).
This wisdom referred to in the Bible is more than just a normal ability to discern Scripture. It is a gift imparted by God for those who aspire toward creative ability. Moses writes about certain special people who were gifted with wisdom to build the Tabernacle:
“Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 36:1).
In what is perhaps the lawgiver’s most mysterious writing, The Song of Moses, he sings of the end-time in couched language, then says, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” (Deuteronomy 32:29). This song is so important with end-time knowledge the saints in heaven will take up harps and sing it:
“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…” (Revelation 15:2, 3).
Though Moses worried that Israel would not understand the prophetic nature of the song, we are assured that the mystery will be known during the days of God’s final judgment upon an unbelieving world.
As the newly-made king of Israel, young Solomon was granted uncommon wisdom. There have been none so wise as Solomon throughout history, except for Jesus Christ. Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God.
“Behold I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1st Kings 3:12).
We are told that Solomon had knowledge of the sciences unrivaled until this generation. There are stories that Solomon healed the queen of Sheba, having knowledge of medicines and herbs and that he took her on a ride in his airship! such extra-biblical stories have come down to us through history, whether accurate or not, to demonstrate the creative genius of a wise man.
According to the book of Esther, in the kingdoms of the east, wise men were thought to possess knowledge of subjects no demonstrated by the average citizen. “Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times…” (Esther 1:13 ).
One who learns to read and study the Bible, even the simple, will eventually become wise: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7).
There are many Scriptures that offer wisdom and blessing to those who study the deeper things of God. For example, following the insertion of seven reversed nun in the Hebrew text o Psalm 107, God offers a clue to the mystery:
“Whose is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand…” (Psalm 107:43),
The nun is the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Normally, it refers to downfall, but the reversed form is said to be a demonstration of God turning His back in judgment upon the wicked. The verses designated by the reversed nun appear to describe the dissolution of Mystery Babylon. But the word “Babylon” is not used. We are left to speculate about the unusual phenomenon. We feel confident, however, with our conclusions. If we are wrong, we are assured that someday, someone will understand. We’d like to think that the “wise” person in verse 43 is us. However, if our attempt to interpret the passage is wrong, that does not mean that we are not wise — just not wise enough!
We should strive to “…understand a proverb and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings” (Proverbs 1:6). We dislike being wrong, but admittedly, can’t be right one-hundred percent of time. Accuracy may be the test of a prophet, but should not be used to grade the student of prophecy.
We are also told that the soul winner is no ordinary person! “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
There is a difference in the demeanor of a person who possesses wisdom. If one strives for knowledge and wisdom, he will develop a special confidence that the average man does not possess. Solomon writes: “Who is as the wise man? And who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed” (Ecclesiastes 8:1).
Daniel also addressed this confidence, which can be seen in the attitude the wise have toward life: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). We know that the passage deals with the eternal state of the soul winner, but from a practical view, we also should note that learning and public speaking builds confidence.
Concerning the suffering of the end-time generation, Daniel writes, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). Who are the “wise” in Daniel’s verse? They are the believers who have not been afraid to search the prophecies and lay out a scenario for those who will suffer in the last days. One can endure just about anything if he knows that he will win in the end.
Hosea discusses God’s use of mysterious prophetic metaphors. “I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets” (Hosea 12:10).
He then proceeds to couch his predictions in the forms of “…lion,” “…leopard” (Hosea 13:7), “…bear” (Hosea 13:8), and “…the sorrows of a travailing woman” (Hosea 13:13); and concludes with the promise, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things?” (Hosea 14:9).
As Jesus referred to a prophecy taught in the book of Daniel, He noted that a particular group of people would understand what He was talking about:
“When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination o desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whose readeth, let him understand) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains” (Matthew 24:15, 16).
Daniel was a sealed book in those days. Most did not comprehend the subject of the “abomination of desolation.” But for that future generation which would understand, Jesus explains that they should flee into the mountains.
Have you often wondered why the Lord uses metaphors and symbolic language in prophetic passages? It is because He wants some to know while others are blinded to the mystery. Jesus explains the use of parables to cover up the plain message: “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” (Luke 8:10).
Even the disciples had a difficult time understanding certain predictions until Jesus explained the details. After His resurrection, He mentioned that the ordeal was predicted in the law of Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms: “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures…” (Luke 24:45).
Luke simply says that Christ explained the prophecies. Unfornately, Luke did not elaborate. We are left to search them out for ourselves! Ah, but that is the nature of prophetic studies. The student of the Bible must search — for a lifetime — and continually discover new and exciting nuggets to add to his knowledge.
In ages past before the invention of the printing press, can you imagine how many believers discovered things that became lost again to future generations — simply because they did not have a method for communication with other believers? We are blessed in this generation of mass communication. We can share our finds with God’s people everywhere.
If we would aspire to gain prophetic knowledge — to be “wise” — then we must continually study God’s Word. It is only through the accumulation of biblical knowledge that the break-through in wisdom will come. Furthermore, only the Holy Spirit can piece the puzzle together in our minds. So how do we reach the Sood level of biblical interpretation? First, we should remind ourselves that Daniel prayed before each encounter with an angel. Without a proper prayer life, we cannot expect to reach new insights. Note that Daniel did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him as we have today. His learning experiences came from angelic messengers. But Jesus opened a new avenue of biblical study when He informed the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit:
“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.”
“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 show you things to come.”
“His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things…” (John 16:7, 13, 29, 30).
Here is your key to opening the prophetic mysteries of the Bible. As you pray for guidance and diligently study the Bible, the Holy Spirit “will show you things to come” (John 16:13).
One note of caution should be addressed. Let us not become unkind toward ministers with whom we disagree. Maybe we will understand their thinking at a future time — or maybe they will learn to understand us. The underlying principle to really being wise in biblical knowledge is demonstrated by our love for the brethren. The apostle Paul puts it this way:
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1st Corinthians 13:2).
Know any ministers who are constantly complaining about the perceived failings of other ministers? Paul really comes down hard on those who are constantly trying to straighten out other ministers. The apostle encourages us not to be like that. In the next chapter Paul told the church at Corinth, “Brethren be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (1st Corinthians 14:20). Let us love the brethren and have patience with those who appear to be less knowledgeable than we perceived ourselves to be. After all, we may not be as smart as we think we are.
Finally, we are told that a special blessing is reserved for the believer who studies prophecy. John writes: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3).
No one fully understands prophecy. Until this generation, the subject was sealed. One only needs to look at the past century and understand that the human race rode horses fro six thousand years! But that’s all changed. Today, man has ridden a rocket to the moon! Errors were made along the way. Accidents happened. But nothing would have been accomplished if no one had been willing to grope in intellectual darkness until they found the proverbial switch! So it is with the study of eschatology.
At the close of each letter to the churches, John writes, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth unto the churches.” We are told that a special ability to hear with spiritual understanding is given to a chosen group. Not all have this ability.
Perhaps Revelation 13:18 is the most familiar passage that points to the ability of some who understand the deeper levels of biblical interpretation:
“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).
Obviously, not all Christians are given the ability to comprehend dark passages. Don’t expect to know everything there is to know about prophecy. At the same time, don’t leave the study of it to others. Jump in! Get your feet wet! Don’t worry about making mistakes. We all do! The study of the Sood level of Scripture is a “trial and error” process. Don’t become discouraged if you embarrass yourself with some wild notion. Just be willing to learn. Keep feeling your way until you too, find the switch! When you finally flip it, the light feels so good!
Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the November 2017 issue of Today’s Front Page was “The Wise Shall Understand.” www.JohnBarela.com
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