Note: To whom it may concern, the following is not a copy and paste of someone's work but has been typed in the last couple of days on Word by my own fingers in Christ Jesus. Thank you for reading and considering!
The “works of God” are to be made manifest in us when we hear His voice. We are to bring forth the fruit of righteousness. We are to believe on Him whom He has SENT…which is the “work of God.”
John 6:27-29 KJV
(27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
(28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
(29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
We are to hear His voice and DO GOOD and not evil towards what we hear. As repeatedly said in Revelation, he that has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. We are not to resist what we hear the Spirit saying. He shall open up the Scriptures to our understanding through “strangers” whom He shall send out who will speak what they hear the Spirit of Truth saying. As Jesus says: “He that heareth you heareth me”.
Luke 10:16 KJV
(16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
He SENDS His disciples out to preach the good Word of God to our ears and we are to hear and believe and be hospitable….showing brotherly love…towards those brothers (strangers, least brothers of His) so that we may enter into His understanding….to grow in the knowledge of God. We are to receive our “sight” from the Son of God….receiving the knowledge of God…so that we may truly know Him who is true and depart from the power of darkness that has ruled over us in the denominations of men where there is no knowledge of God being preached.
John 9:7 KJV
(7) And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
It is a “knowledge thing” as well….for the Lord puts His laws into our hearts AND in our minds will He writes them.
Hebrews 10:16-18 KJV
(16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
(17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
(18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
IF we continue to sin willfully…continuing to speak evil of what we hear: the FULL knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. We are to DO the Truth that is in the heart as we receive the KNOWLEDGE of that Truth by His opening up of the Scriptures to our minds. We are to be a DOER of the engrafted Word to have love for one another when we hear His voice. We are ready know how to have love for each other as God has already manifested this in all men's hearts. God is love.
Hebrews 10:26-33 KJV
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Why trodden down the Son of God (by speaking evil of those SENT to preach His words of life and spirit)? Those who will do such things will hear the knowledge of the Truth and NOT BELIEVE in what they will hear and will not show love toward those sent by Him.
We are to have brotherly love for them….keeping the “blood of the covenant”. We are not to treat the blood of the covenant wherein we are sanctified as an “unholy”thing….that is, a common thing that is treated with a flippant attitude. As Jesus loved us and gave His life for us ,we are to also “lay down our lives” for each other and have brotherly love….keeping the “daily” sacrifice in all situations with reverence for God.
Why do despite unto the Spirit of grace….the breath that speaks with grace to our ears? Why speak evil when one speaks kindness to us with the breath of grace?
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
We are to be “illuminated”. We are to have the “eyes of our understanding” enlightened to the full KNOWLEDGE of the Truth. We shall be persecuted by those who will not do the “works of God”…to believe in Him who is SENT and have brotherly love which is a major part of the believing. Believing is DOING His commandments and so enter into His understanding…growing in the knowledge of God. Outside the understanding will be those who will not do His commandments. They will not enter in to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God as they will not believe and behave badly towards what they hear.
(32) But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
(33) Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Much people are to be gathered together to hear the Son of God in this coming time. They are to hear what the Spirit is saying and DO His Word….His Saying: have love for one another.
Luke 8:4-5 KJV
(4) And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
Some will hear and trodden it down and the “fowls of the air”…that is, their evil words that will “fly” out of their mouths…will devour it.
(5) 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.
They will hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God but will not enter in because of their unbelief. They will not receive what they hear in their hearts where His Word shall be taken away. They will not DO His commandments so that they may believe and be saved in the here and now. They will instead trodden down the Son of God and misbehave in their words by speaking evil of those SENT by Him to preach His words of life and spirit.
Luke 8:10-12 KJV
(10) 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.
(11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
(12) 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.
We are not to let the “fowls of the air” devour His Word in our hearts. Instead, we are to be swift to hear and SLOW TO SPEAK and slow to wrath. The “devil” comes to take away the Word out of the hearts of the unbelievers….the WRATH of man does NOT work the righteousness of God.
James 1:18-22 KJV
(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We are not to let the “fowls of the air” come to devour His Word. These are the evil WORDS that will come hastily out of the mouths of those who will not believe in what they hear….the knowledge of God…the mysteries of the kingdom of God. We are to receive with meekness the engrafted Word and lay apart all of the bad things that will want to come out of our mouths at what we hear.
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
We are to be DOERS of the Word….the Saying: have love for one another as He loved us and gave His life for us. We are to keep the “blood of the covenant” with all reverence and serve God with fear for He is a consuming fire. We are to be DOERS of the Word and not hearers only. Let us not deceive our own hearts for those who do His righteousness is of God and those who do not righteousness are not of God. Do not be deceived into thinking that we are "alive": faith WITHOUT good works is dead.
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
We are to receive His words into our hearts and not keep it by the wayside where it is trampled down. Don’t let the “fowls of the air” come to devour the Word from our hearts. If any man seem to be religious and does not bridle his own tongue, but deceives his own heart, that man’s religion is empty. The Word is not found in His heart for he is forgetting to do it. He is a forgetful hearer and not a DOER of the Word as he will speak evil of what he hears the Spirit saying.
James 1:26 KJV
(26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
When men speak evil words against another…it is with an “unclean spirit”…the unclean breath of man that comes out of the abyss of their hearts where wrath resides. With the exhaling of that wrathful breath from the heart full of anger, the tongue forms evil words and speaks into the air those words which travels to the ears of their brothers whom they will not show love towards.
And as intended recipients of their evil speaking, we are not to return evil against those who will speak evil towards us. The unclean breath that goes out of a man who does not bridle his tongue will not find a place to “rest” upon if we do not render evil for their evil. It will instead return to the place where it came out of and will find the heart “empty” of the Word to have love for another as they will deceive their own hearts (it is empty, swept and garnished). The last state of that man is worse than the first for they will wax
Matthew 12:43-45 KJV
(43) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
(44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
(45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution by those evil men who shall wax worse and worse as they deceive their own hearts and not bridle their tongues.
2 Timothy 3:12-14 KJV
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
This is what the problem with the church in “Sardis” will have. “Sardis” meaning “red ones” will react in their wrath by speaking evil of what they hear. They will be “red” with a heart FULL OF WRATH. They will trample down others by prating against them with malicious words defiling their garments . Their works will not be found perfect before God. We are to be holy as He is holy…..at ALL times.
Faith WITHOUT good works is DEAD as the body without the spirit is dead. We must NOT deceive our hearts into thinking otherwise. He that does righteousness is of God and he that does not His righteousness is not of God but of the wicked one. Remember how Cain did NOT overcome his wrath after he was instructed to “do well” so that he may be accepted.
We profess our faith in our good works towards the brothers who will be sent out to preach the full knowledge of God. The “dead” church will speak hastily against what they will hear in their wrath. We are to awake to His righteousness and not deceive our own hearts. (1 Corinthians 15: 34: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.)
The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. (James 1:20 KJV: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God).
Revelation 3:1-6 KJV
(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.
(2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
But they are counseled to REMEMBER His Word to have love for each other. We are to “hold fast”
and change our minds (repent) and DO His Word. He will come on them as a thief if they are a forgetful hearer of the Word….not DOING His Word. They…the “red ones” of wrath… will speak evil of those sent out by Him as He shall find us “sleeping” in our wrath and trampling others down.
(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.
(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.
(5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
(6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The wrath of man does NOT work the righteousness of God. We must OVERCOME so that He will not blot out our names out of the book of life.
Cain was full of wrath (Sardis = red ones= full of wrath) but was counseled to not let sin rule over him. When our hearts are full of wrath, we are in danger of speaking with our mouths evil words. “Sin lies at the door” of our mouths. We are instead to do well towards what we hear and not be hasty to speak the evil in our hearts. We must overcome the wrath and do well so that we may be accepted.
Genesis 4:6-10 KJV
(6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
But as the word “Cain” means “spear”, there will be those who will use their tongues to “spear” their brothers with as they will prate against them with malicious words. They will “slay” those who will “talk” with them His words of life and spirit. Cain “rose up” against Abel his brother. He exalted himself ….desiring to be seen as wise in his pride….and used his mouth to “kill” his brother….willful sin AFTER he had been instructed to overcome his wrath.
(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
They will treat the “blood of the covenant” as an unholy thing as they will not have brotherly love in their evil speaking. “Abel” means “vain, empty”…as they call their brothers “fools” for speaking His knowledge of the Truth in their ears.
(9) And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
(10) And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
“Killing” a brother is speaking evil of him. Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause (as Cain was), shall be in danger of the judgment. That anger starts in our hearts….and we are in DANGER because that anger will want to come out of our mouths towards our brother. Sin lies at the door of our mouths wanting to rule over us….but we are to overcome. They will call their brothers fools…..empty heads. It is no coincidence that “Abel” means “empty, vain”…for that is where we start getting in big trouble because now the tongue…the weaker vessel…wants to speak.
Matthew 5:21-26 KJV
(21) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
(22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
(23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Cain’s sacrifice was not respected by God. We are to be FIRST reconciled to our brothers so that we are accepted. IF we do well, won’t we be accepted also? Yes, we will as told to Cain from the very beginning.
(24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…the Judge of all men.
(25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(26) Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
When lust has conceived in our hearts, it brings forth sin….evil speaking. And when “it is finished”, it brings forth death…for there is no more sacrifice for continued, willful sin.
James 1:15-16 KJV
(15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
We are not to add drunkenness to thirst….speaking evil in the drunkenness of the wine of wrath towards a brother who “thirsts” for a “cup of cold water”….a welcoming response.
John 19:28-30 KJV
(28) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
A heart full of wrath is a “vessel” that will be full of “vinegar”…sour wine. A heart full of wrath is in danger of speaking evil against a brother sent by Him to preach His words of life and spirit.
(29) Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
There is no more sacrifice for willful sins if we continue to speak evil of another out of a heart that is full of wrath…putting the “vinegar” to the mouth of those who “thirst”.
(30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Willful, continued sin is defined by continuing to speak evil of a brother after being warned twice by those who are sent by Him to preach His words.
Matthew 18:15-17 KJV
(15) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
(17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
A man is in continued willful sin after being admonished after 2 times by those SENT by Him to preach to their ears the Word of Truth...
Titus 3:9-11 KJV
(9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
(10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Again, Paul shows us what "willful, continued sin" is. Those who continue to sin...speak evil of a brother...after the second time shall not be spared the third time as Jesus shall come upon us for our judgment.
2 Corinthians 13:1-6 KJV
(1) This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
We can not continue to sin after being warned twice for it will be willful sin....
(2) I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
The unbelievers will not think that is is Christ speaking in us.....which is not weak but powerfully real...
(3) Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
(4) For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
We are to examine ourselves whether we are in the faith. We are to prove ourselves by showing our faith in GOOD WORKS toward Christ speaking in those "least brothers" of His.
(5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
(6) But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Let us not quench the Spirit but be filled with what it is saying to us. Let us not be “drunk” with the “vinegar”…the sour wine of wrath but instead be filled with what the Spirit is saying to our ears. Let us bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-21 KJV
(17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
(18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Let us REJOICE in what we hear the Spirit saying and make melody in our hearts and give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-23 KJV
(19) Quench not the Spirit.
(20) Despise not prophesyings.
(21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. We must overcome and not let sin rule over the door of our mouths by speaking evil in our hastiness. If we do well, then we shall also be accepted…that is, be exalted by Him.
Genesis 4:7 KJV
(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Cain “rose up” against his brother and used the “spear” …the meaning of “Cain”…to slay his brother. He exalted himself in his wrath to speak evil of his brother which he consider a “fool”…an empty-headed fool who spoke empty things. But we are counseled to humble ourselves in His sight so that we may be “accepted”…that is, exalted by Him.
James 4:10-12 KJV
(10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We are not to speak evil of another…our brother “Abel”. We are not to see ourselves “wise” and be judge, jury and executioner of our brother who will be sent to preach His Word to our ears. We are to be slow to wrath and slow to speak.
(11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
(12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
We are to hear and REJOICE.
“Gaius” ….meaning “rejoice, happy”….is symbolic of all men who will receive the “strangers” that will be sent out to the churches in this coming time to preach the good Word of God in truth and sincerity. “Gaius” will believe and rejoice in the hearing of the Word of God and will not resist what the Spirit is saying.
3 John 1:1-12 KJV
(1) The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
(2) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
They will walk in the Truth as they will show brotherly love towards those who will be sent by Him….the “Elder”….the Firstborn of many brothers. They will walk in love showing that they are the true children of God. No one who is born of God will sin against what they will hear and “crucify” the Son of God afresh by publicly berating those sent to preach His words of life and spirit.
(3) For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
(4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
They will show brotherly love ….to brothers….and to “STRANGERS”.
(5) Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Those sent by Him shall bear witness of their brotherly love before the “church”….before that heavenly “church”…before all of the biblical saints….before the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.
(6) Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
The “works of God” are to be made manifest in us when we hear His voice. We are to bring forth the fruit of righteousness. We are to believe on Him whom He has SENT…which is the “work of God.”
John 6:27-29 KJV
(27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
(28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
(29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
We are to hear His voice and DO GOOD and not evil towards what we hear. As repeatedly said in Revelation, he that has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. We are not to resist what we hear the Spirit saying. He shall open up the Scriptures to our understanding through “strangers” whom He shall send out who will speak what they hear the Spirit of Truth saying. As Jesus says: “He that heareth you heareth me”.
Luke 10:16 KJV
(16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
He SENDS His disciples out to preach the good Word of God to our ears and we are to hear and believe and be hospitable….showing brotherly love…towards those brothers (strangers, least brothers of His) so that we may enter into His understanding….to grow in the knowledge of God. We are to receive our “sight” from the Son of God….receiving the knowledge of God…so that we may truly know Him who is true and depart from the power of darkness that has ruled over us in the denominations of men where there is no knowledge of God being preached.
John 9:7 KJV
(7) And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
It is a “knowledge thing” as well….for the Lord puts His laws into our hearts AND in our minds will He writes them.
Hebrews 10:16-18 KJV
(16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
(17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
(18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
IF we continue to sin willfully…continuing to speak evil of what we hear: the FULL knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. We are to DO the Truth that is in the heart as we receive the KNOWLEDGE of that Truth by His opening up of the Scriptures to our minds. We are to be a DOER of the engrafted Word to have love for one another when we hear His voice. We are ready know how to have love for each other as God has already manifested this in all men's hearts. God is love.
Hebrews 10:26-33 KJV
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Why trodden down the Son of God (by speaking evil of those SENT to preach His words of life and spirit)? Those who will do such things will hear the knowledge of the Truth and NOT BELIEVE in what they will hear and will not show love toward those sent by Him.
We are to have brotherly love for them….keeping the “blood of the covenant”. We are not to treat the blood of the covenant wherein we are sanctified as an “unholy”thing….that is, a common thing that is treated with a flippant attitude. As Jesus loved us and gave His life for us ,we are to also “lay down our lives” for each other and have brotherly love….keeping the “daily” sacrifice in all situations with reverence for God.
Why do despite unto the Spirit of grace….the breath that speaks with grace to our ears? Why speak evil when one speaks kindness to us with the breath of grace?
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
We are to be “illuminated”. We are to have the “eyes of our understanding” enlightened to the full KNOWLEDGE of the Truth. We shall be persecuted by those who will not do the “works of God”…to believe in Him who is SENT and have brotherly love which is a major part of the believing. Believing is DOING His commandments and so enter into His understanding…growing in the knowledge of God. Outside the understanding will be those who will not do His commandments. They will not enter in to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God as they will not believe and behave badly towards what they hear.
(32) But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
(33) Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Much people are to be gathered together to hear the Son of God in this coming time. They are to hear what the Spirit is saying and DO His Word….His Saying: have love for one another.
Luke 8:4-5 KJV
(4) And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
Some will hear and trodden it down and the “fowls of the air”…that is, their evil words that will “fly” out of their mouths…will devour it.
(5) 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.
They will hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God but will not enter in because of their unbelief. They will not receive what they hear in their hearts where His Word shall be taken away. They will not DO His commandments so that they may believe and be saved in the here and now. They will instead trodden down the Son of God and misbehave in their words by speaking evil of those SENT by Him to preach His words of life and spirit.
Luke 8:10-12 KJV
(10) 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.
(11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
(12) 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.
We are not to let the “fowls of the air” devour His Word in our hearts. Instead, we are to be swift to hear and SLOW TO SPEAK and slow to wrath. The “devil” comes to take away the Word out of the hearts of the unbelievers….the WRATH of man does NOT work the righteousness of God.
James 1:18-22 KJV
(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We are not to let the “fowls of the air” come to devour His Word. These are the evil WORDS that will come hastily out of the mouths of those who will not believe in what they hear….the knowledge of God…the mysteries of the kingdom of God. We are to receive with meekness the engrafted Word and lay apart all of the bad things that will want to come out of our mouths at what we hear.
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
We are to be DOERS of the Word….the Saying: have love for one another as He loved us and gave His life for us. We are to keep the “blood of the covenant” with all reverence and serve God with fear for He is a consuming fire. We are to be DOERS of the Word and not hearers only. Let us not deceive our own hearts for those who do His righteousness is of God and those who do not righteousness are not of God. Do not be deceived into thinking that we are "alive": faith WITHOUT good works is dead.
(22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
We are to receive His words into our hearts and not keep it by the wayside where it is trampled down. Don’t let the “fowls of the air” come to devour the Word from our hearts. If any man seem to be religious and does not bridle his own tongue, but deceives his own heart, that man’s religion is empty. The Word is not found in His heart for he is forgetting to do it. He is a forgetful hearer and not a DOER of the Word as he will speak evil of what he hears the Spirit saying.
James 1:26 KJV
(26) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
When men speak evil words against another…it is with an “unclean spirit”…the unclean breath of man that comes out of the abyss of their hearts where wrath resides. With the exhaling of that wrathful breath from the heart full of anger, the tongue forms evil words and speaks into the air those words which travels to the ears of their brothers whom they will not show love towards.
And as intended recipients of their evil speaking, we are not to return evil against those who will speak evil towards us. The unclean breath that goes out of a man who does not bridle his tongue will not find a place to “rest” upon if we do not render evil for their evil. It will instead return to the place where it came out of and will find the heart “empty” of the Word to have love for another as they will deceive their own hearts (it is empty, swept and garnished). The last state of that man is worse than the first for they will wax
Matthew 12:43-45 KJV
(43) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
(44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
(45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution by those evil men who shall wax worse and worse as they deceive their own hearts and not bridle their tongues.
2 Timothy 3:12-14 KJV
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
This is what the problem with the church in “Sardis” will have. “Sardis” meaning “red ones” will react in their wrath by speaking evil of what they hear. They will be “red” with a heart FULL OF WRATH. They will trample down others by prating against them with malicious words defiling their garments . Their works will not be found perfect before God. We are to be holy as He is holy…..at ALL times.
Faith WITHOUT good works is DEAD as the body without the spirit is dead. We must NOT deceive our hearts into thinking otherwise. He that does righteousness is of God and he that does not His righteousness is not of God but of the wicked one. Remember how Cain did NOT overcome his wrath after he was instructed to “do well” so that he may be accepted.
We profess our faith in our good works towards the brothers who will be sent out to preach the full knowledge of God. The “dead” church will speak hastily against what they will hear in their wrath. We are to awake to His righteousness and not deceive our own hearts. (1 Corinthians 15: 34: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.)
The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. (James 1:20 KJV: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God).
Revelation 3:1-6 KJV
(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.
(2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
But they are counseled to REMEMBER His Word to have love for each other. We are to “hold fast”
and change our minds (repent) and DO His Word. He will come on them as a thief if they are a forgetful hearer of the Word….not DOING His Word. They…the “red ones” of wrath… will speak evil of those sent out by Him as He shall find us “sleeping” in our wrath and trampling others down.
(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.
(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.
(5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
(6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The wrath of man does NOT work the righteousness of God. We must OVERCOME so that He will not blot out our names out of the book of life.
Cain was full of wrath (Sardis = red ones= full of wrath) but was counseled to not let sin rule over him. When our hearts are full of wrath, we are in danger of speaking with our mouths evil words. “Sin lies at the door” of our mouths. We are instead to do well towards what we hear and not be hasty to speak the evil in our hearts. We must overcome the wrath and do well so that we may be accepted.
Genesis 4:6-10 KJV
(6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
But as the word “Cain” means “spear”, there will be those who will use their tongues to “spear” their brothers with as they will prate against them with malicious words. They will “slay” those who will “talk” with them His words of life and spirit. Cain “rose up” against Abel his brother. He exalted himself ….desiring to be seen as wise in his pride….and used his mouth to “kill” his brother….willful sin AFTER he had been instructed to overcome his wrath.
(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
They will treat the “blood of the covenant” as an unholy thing as they will not have brotherly love in their evil speaking. “Abel” means “vain, empty”…as they call their brothers “fools” for speaking His knowledge of the Truth in their ears.
(9) And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
(10) And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
“Killing” a brother is speaking evil of him. Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause (as Cain was), shall be in danger of the judgment. That anger starts in our hearts….and we are in DANGER because that anger will want to come out of our mouths towards our brother. Sin lies at the door of our mouths wanting to rule over us….but we are to overcome. They will call their brothers fools…..empty heads. It is no coincidence that “Abel” means “empty, vain”…for that is where we start getting in big trouble because now the tongue…the weaker vessel…wants to speak.
Matthew 5:21-26 KJV
(21) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
(22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
(23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Cain’s sacrifice was not respected by God. We are to be FIRST reconciled to our brothers so that we are accepted. IF we do well, won’t we be accepted also? Yes, we will as told to Cain from the very beginning.
(24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…the Judge of all men.
(25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(26) Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
When lust has conceived in our hearts, it brings forth sin….evil speaking. And when “it is finished”, it brings forth death…for there is no more sacrifice for continued, willful sin.
James 1:15-16 KJV
(15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
We are not to add drunkenness to thirst….speaking evil in the drunkenness of the wine of wrath towards a brother who “thirsts” for a “cup of cold water”….a welcoming response.
John 19:28-30 KJV
(28) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
A heart full of wrath is a “vessel” that will be full of “vinegar”…sour wine. A heart full of wrath is in danger of speaking evil against a brother sent by Him to preach His words of life and spirit.
(29) Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
There is no more sacrifice for willful sins if we continue to speak evil of another out of a heart that is full of wrath…putting the “vinegar” to the mouth of those who “thirst”.
(30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Willful, continued sin is defined by continuing to speak evil of a brother after being warned twice by those who are sent by Him to preach His words.
Matthew 18:15-17 KJV
(15) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
(17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
A man is in continued willful sin after being admonished after 2 times by those SENT by Him to preach to their ears the Word of Truth...
Titus 3:9-11 KJV
(9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
(10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Again, Paul shows us what "willful, continued sin" is. Those who continue to sin...speak evil of a brother...after the second time shall not be spared the third time as Jesus shall come upon us for our judgment.
2 Corinthians 13:1-6 KJV
(1) This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
We can not continue to sin after being warned twice for it will be willful sin....
(2) I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
The unbelievers will not think that is is Christ speaking in us.....which is not weak but powerfully real...
(3) Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
(4) For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
We are to examine ourselves whether we are in the faith. We are to prove ourselves by showing our faith in GOOD WORKS toward Christ speaking in those "least brothers" of His.
(5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
(6) But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Let us not quench the Spirit but be filled with what it is saying to us. Let us not be “drunk” with the “vinegar”…the sour wine of wrath but instead be filled with what the Spirit is saying to our ears. Let us bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-21 KJV
(17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
(18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Let us REJOICE in what we hear the Spirit saying and make melody in our hearts and give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-23 KJV
(19) Quench not the Spirit.
(20) Despise not prophesyings.
(21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. We must overcome and not let sin rule over the door of our mouths by speaking evil in our hastiness. If we do well, then we shall also be accepted…that is, be exalted by Him.
Genesis 4:7 KJV
(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Cain “rose up” against his brother and used the “spear” …the meaning of “Cain”…to slay his brother. He exalted himself in his wrath to speak evil of his brother which he consider a “fool”…an empty-headed fool who spoke empty things. But we are counseled to humble ourselves in His sight so that we may be “accepted”…that is, exalted by Him.
James 4:10-12 KJV
(10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We are not to speak evil of another…our brother “Abel”. We are not to see ourselves “wise” and be judge, jury and executioner of our brother who will be sent to preach His Word to our ears. We are to be slow to wrath and slow to speak.
(11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
(12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
We are to hear and REJOICE.
“Gaius” ….meaning “rejoice, happy”….is symbolic of all men who will receive the “strangers” that will be sent out to the churches in this coming time to preach the good Word of God in truth and sincerity. “Gaius” will believe and rejoice in the hearing of the Word of God and will not resist what the Spirit is saying.
3 John 1:1-12 KJV
(1) The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
(2) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
They will walk in the Truth as they will show brotherly love towards those who will be sent by Him….the “Elder”….the Firstborn of many brothers. They will walk in love showing that they are the true children of God. No one who is born of God will sin against what they will hear and “crucify” the Son of God afresh by publicly berating those sent to preach His words of life and spirit.
(3) For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
(4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
They will show brotherly love ….to brothers….and to “STRANGERS”.
(5) Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Those sent by Him shall bear witness of their brotherly love before the “church”….before that heavenly “church”…before all of the biblical saints….before the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.
(6) Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: