Monthly Archives: April 2016

Children of the living God

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Romans 9:26 KJVS
[26] And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

It is extremely important to understand who the children of God are in context with Israel of the Old Testament. What follows will hopefully be a clear cut exercise of rightly dividing the word of the truth, 2 Ti 2:15. The bulk of the verses used, will be from the book of Romans and Galatians. Paul previously in chapter 9 of Romans, makes clear the difference between Israel of the flesh and Israel of the promise seed, in regards to who are the children of God.

Romans 9:6-8 KJVS
[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

In Isaac shall thy seed be called is a reference to the actual words spoken by God to Abraham, Gen 21:12. In the book of Galatians Apostle Paul adds more information regarding Israel of the flesh and Israel of the promise. But introduces another bit of information that took quite a bit of study for me to understand fully.

Galatians 4:22-26,28,30-31 KJVS
[22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. [24] Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. [25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. [26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. [28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. [30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. [31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Mount Sinai in verse 25, and the mention of Jerusalem that now is, clearly points to the law of Moses and the religious institution of the Temple in Apostle Paul’s day. You will notice there is only two covenants. The covenant of the law and covenant of promise. The promised seed is Jesus Christ, which Apostle Paul makes clear in the previous chapter in Galatians.

Galatians 3:16-18,29 KJVS
[16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [29] And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

These two sets of verses from Galatians are important divisions in the word of God. Only the children of promise, those who are in Christ, are children of God, and those of the covenant of the law can not be heirs of the world, Ro 4:13, with the children of promise. Our Lord demonstrates this distinction when talking with the Pharisees, who were under bondage to the law.

John 8:39,42,44 KJVS
[39] They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

A verse I just recently took note of in the book Galatians points to the importance of the indwelling Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost in all of this.

Galatians 3:14 KJVS
[14] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

We of course received the Spirit of adoption that places us in the body of Christ.

Romans 8:14-16 KJVS
[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Notice the word bondage in verse 15, that refers to bondage under the law. And receiving the Spirit of adoption, makes it possible for us to become citizens of the Commonwealth of Israel of the promise.

Ephesians 2:12-13 KJVS
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Becoming heirs in the Commonwealth of Israel is predicated on our being conformed to the image of Christ, part of which involves suffering. A prevalent and recurring theme of this website.

Romans 8:17-18 KJVS
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him , that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

A remnant shall be saved

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Romans 9:26-28 KJVS
[26] And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. [27] Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: [28] For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

There are several different viewpoints of when the resurrection of the body of Christ takes place. I have to admit, I steered clear of the book of Revelation after I was chastised by God and told to study to show myself approved. My reasoning was, in order to be approved and found in Christ at the first resurrection, I needed to learn what sound doctrine was in regards to being justified and sanctified by the salvation that is in Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation is largely concerned with the end of the age and is unlike the epistles and gospels in regards to doctrine, so I thought it best to put it on the shelf for a extended period of time. During the last six months or so I have read the book of Revelations four or five times and have become somewhat familiar with its content. It is a very enigmatic book full of symbolic language that covers three different time frames.

Revelation 1:19 KJVS
[19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

I can’t claim to be a expert on the book but after a certain degree of familiarity coupled with good understanding of the rest of the New Testament, certain doctrines regarding end times events become evident. It is surprising what a person can learn paying close attention to words. Words have specific meanings and when reading the New Testament, a person should always look at the Greek words and their definitions for better understanding in regards to text. Especially when trying to set and adhere to certain doctrines. The word remnant that is used in Ro 9:27, is a translation from a Greek word used only once in the New Testament. That fact alone seems to imply a degree of exclusiveness in its usage. The Strong’s Concordance listing of definition and usage in the NT of this word is pasted below.

Strong’s Number
G2640
Original Word
κατάλειμμα
Transliterated Word
kataleimma
Phonetic Spelling
kat-al’-ime-mah
Parts of Speech
Noun Neuter
Strong’s Definition
From G2641; a remainder that is (by implication) a few: – remnant.
Thayer’s Definition
remnant, remains
Usage by Word
remnant (1)
Usage by Book
Romans

The word remnant is used six times in the New Testament,but different Greek words are translated into the English word remnant. One of those Greek words is translated into several English words other than remnant. I think it is quite telling that this Greek word, which is used once in the NT, appears in a verse clearly referring to the children of God, the body of Christ, Ro 9:26&27. There are a couple other Greek words that are translated into the English word remnant, five other times in the New Testament, and are listed below.

Strong’s Numbers G3062, G3005 and G3007.

Now we will get to the meat of this post. In regards to eschatology and doctrines pertaining to end time events. It would benefit us to look at one of the verses the word remnant appears in the book of Revelation, translated from G3062. This verse follows the event that many say is when the rapture of the body of Christ takes place, Re 12:5.

Revelation 12:17 KJVS
[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

At first glance and in conjunction with Re 12:14, one might rightly conclude that the remnant of her seed would not be resurrected until the end of the tribulation. Some might use this verse as proof for a post tribulation rapture. I am strictly confining myself with New Testament scripture for insight into this matter. It is evident to me that the body of Christ is resurrected Mid tribulation. I base this according to the following verse and short explanation that follows.

Revelation 10:7 KJVS
[7] But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

The mystery of God is Christ in you the hope of glory, Col 1:26&27, and that glory takes place at the seventh and last trump, 1 Co 15:43&51-52, 1 Thess 4:16&17. So it would appear there is more than one remnant and two groups of seed of the woman, the body of Christ, Ro 9:27, Gal 3:29, and another remnant of the seed of the woman mentioned in Re 12:6,14&17. The woman and by extension the remnant of her seed are taken to a place in the wilderness and are nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent, Re 12:13&14. Often times the word remnant is associated with the body of Christ, and that is still likely the case based on Galatians 3:16,29. These scriptures in Revelation bring questions to mind concerning the gathering unto the Lord, the saints of God, in the last days. Is the two remnants mentioned in Ro 9:27 and Re 12:17 both a part of the body of Christ? If so, then the mid-tribulation and post tribulation rapture doctrinal positions could both be technically correct. Are the 144,000 thousand mentioned in the seventh chapter of Revelation the same as the man child mentioned in Re 12:5? Most theologians think so, as do I. Since Rev 14:4 state they are firstfruits unto God and the Lamb. Is the literal body of Christ a subset of the promised seed, due to the fact they are the priest in the coming age? The word of God portrays the purpose of God in Jesus Christ in great detail but there are gray areas that often defy firm conclusions. I often think there are subtitle nuances in the Koine Greek that were lost in time, which the translators down through the ages fail to understand. There are only a few other verses in the New Testament that mention this woman as being the mother of these remnant seed.

Galatians 4:22-26 KJVS
[22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. [24] Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. [25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. [26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

In Isa 66:5-8, the woman is identified as Zion, Paul refers to Jerusalem above and in Ro 11:26, he states the Deliverer will come out of Sion. Mount Zion was the mount earthly Jerusalem sat on, Sion is the mount that Jerusalem above sits on. In Romans and Galatians, Paul makes inspired statements in regards who the children of God, the promise seed are.

Romans 9:8 KJVS
[8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

The promise seed is a individual person, Jesus Christ, and by extension those that are in him.

Galatians 3:16,29 KJVS
[16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [29] And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Two other sets of verses that appear later in Revelation contain additional information pertaining to this remnant seed mentioned in Re 12:17

Revelation 13:8-10 KJVS
[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. [9] If any man have an ear, let him hear. [10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12-13 KJVS
[12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. [13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Now, clearly this remnant seed have faith in Jesus Christ and keep the commandments of God, and are going to “die in the Lord”, Re 14:13. Presumably the commandments of God they keep, is the royal law to love the Lord their God and love their neighbor as themselves. But from where I sit, it is very difficult to draw any firm conclusions regarding the remnant mentioned in Re 12:17, beyond what I have already written. I myself, will wait and see how all of this unfolds. It is clear the body of Christ will meet the Lord in the air, following the seventh and last trump. Perhaps this other remnant seed is resurrected during the resurrection of the just and unjust at the end of the age of grace, Mt 25:31-46. But when examining all the scripture verses cited and listed above, one is hard pressed in making a clear definable distinction between the body of Christ, and the remnant seed mentioned in Re 12:17.

Blessed us with all spiritual blessings

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Ephesians 1:3 KJVS
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Most Christians fail to understand what the blessings in Jesus Christ are in the New Testament. The blessings are largely spiritual rather than material blessings, 1 Ti 6:5-11. Perhaps this is due to the Old Testament influence on modern Christian theology. A couple verses in Acts makes the nature of New Testament blessings in Christ more apparent.

Acts 3:25-26 KJVS
[25] Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. [26] Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

A person might wonder exactly how this “being turned away from our iniquities” comes about in our lives? It comes about through the Spirit of God working in our lives, the Spirit that makes holy.

Galatians 3:14 KJVS
[14] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

It is not at all surprising, that the above verse is from the epistle of Galatians. Apostle Paul wrote that epistle to counteract the teachings of some Jews that came to that church, teaching that Gentile Christians had to be circumcised and observe the law of Moses in order to be justified. Paul in the second chapter sets the record straight.

Galatians 2:16 KJVS
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians covers a lot of theological ground that most Christians fail to understand. There are two aspects to be understood in regards to receiving the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit places you into the body of Christ, Ga 3:16&29, and makes you heir of the promises God made to Abraham. The blessings of Abraham, is receiving the Holy Spirit which turns us away from our iniquities throughout a life of faith. If I were asked to sum up the book of Galatians, using one scripture verse from that epistle, it would be this verse.

Galatians 3:3 KJVS
[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Notice the word begun in the above verse. The inherent weakness of the flesh, gives sin the power over us in our lives, Ro 7:19&20, Ro 8:3, and it is only through the agency of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost that we are justified by grace, Ro 3:24. How we are justified by grace is largely three fold. God changes our heart and inner natures by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Ghost, Titus 3:5-7. Along with this is the washing by the word, Eph 5:26. Paul wrote Timothy about the different aspects of the word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJVS
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Also God teaching/disciplining/chastising us, Titus 2:11&12, He 10:6. This is judgments by God aimed at correcting our behavior.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 KJVS
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Chastisements are judgment by God, and are a function of grace working in our lives. This is all part and parcel of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ. Four times in the epistle of Ephesians the phrase “heavenly places” is used. There is a popular Christian pop song where the phrase is used in a future tense. Possibly giving lip service to a doctrine circling the Internet regarding these “heavenly places” in Christ. In short it suggests that after the Kingdom of God is established in this earth, the Gentile members of the body of Christ will sit in heavenly places in Christ, and the work they do in the thousand year kingdom of God will be in involved in the heavenly places. At least that is what I think the doctrine suggests. This doctrine also makes the claim there are two gospels, one for the Hebrews and one for the Gentiles. I looked into the two gospel doctrine closely and found it flew in the face of NT scriptures. I wrote a previous post dealing with this doctrine in light of NT scriptures. http://www.justifiedfreely.com/?p=202. In regards to the “heavenly places” interpretation, the phrase heavenly places appears only four times in the NT, all the verses are in the epistle of Ephesians. We see that Christ sits at the right hand of God in heavenly places, Eph 1:20. And that as a member of the body of Christ, we presently sit in heavenly places “in Christ”. It is always good to read scripture in context.

Ephesians 2:5-9 KJVS
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

As you can clearly see we presently sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and this allows us access to the throne of grace. There are positive and negative aspect associated with sitting in the heavenly places in Christ. We can come before the throne of grace and ask for mercy and grace to help us in times of need, He 4:16. The negative aspects associated with sitting in the heavenly places in Christ, as I briefly mentioned before, are that we can be judged if we do not ask for forgiveness and walk after the flesh, Ro 8:1. Largely because we are viewed as dead in Christ.

Romans 6:3 KJVS
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Hebrews 9:27-28 KJVS
[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

1 Peter 4:17 KJVS
[17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

It is important that we realize we are subject to judgment by the Lord in order to eradicate sin in our lives and bring about holiness. This judgment can and does take place if we don’t judge ourselves.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32 KJVS
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. [30] For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. [31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

As you can see, being chastened by God is a result of being judged by God and is aimed towards amending our behavior in order to instill fruit of the Spirit and holiness.

Hebrews 12:6-7,10-11 KJVS
[6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Another aspect directly related to sitting in heavenly places in Christ and being judged, is that Satan can accuse the members of the body of Christ of sinful behavior. Notice these verses in Revelation.

Revelation 12:10 KJVS
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Satan is known as the adversary and it is a role I suspect that God assigned to him, based on chance, before the world began. Investigate the day of atonement ceremony that took place once a year during the law of Moses. Two sacrificial lambs were taken and due to the drawing of colored stones, it was determined which one was the sin sacrifice lamb and which one was led off into the wilderness. Satan or the devil serves a necessary function in the plan and purpose of God.

1 Peter 5:8 KJVS
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The following is the Strong’s Concordance definition for the Greek word translated into the English word adversary.

Strong’s Number
G476
Original Word
ἀντίδικος
Transliterated Word
antidikos
Phonetic Spelling
an-tid’-ee-kos
Parts of Speech
Noun Masculine
Strong’s Definition
From G473 and G1349; an opponent (in a lawsuit); specifically Satan (as the arch enemy): – adversary.
Thayer’s Definition
opponent
an opponent in a suit of law
an adversary, enemy

Did not the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil? In the Lord’s Prayer do we not pray to God to lead us not into temptation? Read the first two chapters of the book of Job sometime and observe the interplay between God and the devil. The following scriptures in Luke, with a little mental extrapolation, offers keen insight into what takes place at the throne of grace.

Luke 12:57-58 KJVS
[57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? [58] When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

The throne of grace is also the judgment seat, imagine Jesus sitting on this throne. The adversary, the devil, accuses you of sin, sin that you have not asked forgiveness for, and too stubborn or full of pride to give up. Satan, rightfully so, levels a charge against you and forces the Lord’s hand to judge you. For that reason I try and remember to pray the perfect prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, once a day for this reason. Satan may be even given leave to torment you, or even make you sick or take your life if you do not seek mercy and grace at the throne of grace.

1 Corinthians 11:30-32 KJVS
[30] For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. [31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Although the above verse is directly related to eating and drinking the body of Christ unworthily, by offending another member of the body of Christ. The spiritual president holds true towards long term unconfessed sin and sin in general. Because God chastises and scourges the sons he loves, He 12:6.