Power ages In The Bible 313w

Power ages in the Bible

Ross Thompson

Published by Ross Thompson, 2021.

Copyright 2021 Ross Thompson All rights reserved

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

INTRODUCTION

THE BEGINNING

THE GOOD THINGS TO COME ARE HERE.

A CLOSER LOOK REVEALS TRUTH

PROTECTION FROM DEADLY DISEASE

A PURE HEART FOR THE GENTILES

APPENDIX

INTRODUCTION

This book contains notes/commentary on five ages from the Bible. Genesis 1 - 3, Hebrews 10, Romans 7 and 8, Psalm 91, and Acts10. An appendix at the end of the book is a discussion on what the Bible means by the heart. I have not included the Bible chapters themselves in the book. Therefore, reading the Bible chapter or chapters in question before reading the notes is suggested. No doubt the reader will also want to refer to the Bible occasionally as they read through the book. The book is not an attempt to condense the Bible. Referring to Jesus - Psalm 40:6 - 8 says. “Behold I have come - in the volume of the book it is written of me - to do thy will O God. Volume here means the complete Bible – Genesis to Revelation. Luke 24:27 records Jesus after His resurrection meeting two disciples on the Emmaus road and - Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. The Bible must be accepted as an undivided whole. Many Bible ages cannot be understood without reference to other parts of the Bible. The ages discussed in this book continually refer to other parts of the Scripture for illumination. Difficult parts of the Old Testament are explained in the New Testament. The Old Testament frequently has more information on an important subject than the New Testament. Important life issues from the New Testament, many times, require additional references in the Old Testament for complete understanding and application. The Bible is an unusual book. Literal interpretation, wherever possible, is the first rule. Allegory, analogy, symbol and metaphor abound. It is given to us - by the will of God through holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 2:21) Scripture is of no private interpretation.(2 Peter 2:20) A consensus of agreement in the body of Christ should generally govern interpretation. Pauls exhortation to Timothy to - rightly divide the word of truth (2Tim 2:15) is an impossible task until we the Scripture is inextricably tied to our relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Spirit filled person can rightly divide the word of truth.

THE BEGINNING

GENESIS ONE. The Hebrew name of the book of Genesis is the same as its first word - Bereshit (In the beginning). It is generally accepted the book of Genesis is structured around the recurring phrase - elleh toledot, meaning ‘ these are the generations.’ The first use of the phrase referring to the ‘generations of heaven and earth’ (1:1, 2:4) and the remainder marking individuals. The toledot formula, occurring eleven times in the book of Genesis, delineating its sections and shaping its structure, serves as a heading which marks a transition to a new subject: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning Genesis 2:4 Toledot of Heaven and Earth Genesis 5:1 Toledot of Adam – and eight more (Wikipedia) The events at the conclusion of the Book of Genesis occurred some three hundred years before Moses was born. Obviously, when the heavens and the earth were created nobody witnessed it except God and the heavenly hosts. How then was Moses able to write about the original creation in detail, and the rest of the events in Genesis? There is debate among Scholars that he had some sources, previous writings, to draw upon. I think the most likely explanation is given in 2 Peter 1:21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Peter uses the phrase ‘in old time’ and calls Scripture prophecy. I think we are safe to assume ‘old time’ refers to all the Old Testament. Moses confirmed that he was a prophet. The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. Deut 18:15 This verse itself is a prophecy from Moses. (generally thought to refer to Jesus) The Jewish calendar has 2021 as 5781. That is from the creation to 2021. Moses lived during the time period between 1550 to 1200 B.C. Jesus authenticated all of Moses’ writing as Scripture. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? John 5:45-47 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself Luke 24:27 The New Testament adds its confirmation to

Moses’ writing with sixty-three allusions to the first three chapters of Genesis. In our day and age, we have the benefit of viewing the marvellous artistry of the creation. The discoveries of Quantum Mechanics and other advances in Science have opened to us like never before, the intricacies behind the simple version of the seven-day creation given by God in the first chapters of Genesis. Often our first thought in turning our attention to these chapters is the seven-day debate. Was it literally seven days and so on? Faith in the literal interpretation of the Bible is the sole way to obtain a sure answer to those questions. Any other opinion is conjecture, unprovable, leading to endless discussion. Personally, I prefer to accept God has given it to us as seven days. He could have stated it differently. His version is good enough for me. (1:2) Water and the Earth were not created in the seven-day period. (1:6) tells us God divided the waters that were already in existence and commanded the dry ground, in existence under the water, to appear.(1:9) Both the water and the Earth are included in the first verse. In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. I have come to accept the widely held view of a gap between verse one and two of chapter one. We are not told when in the beginning is. Johns Gospel starts the same way. In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Again, we are not told when in the beginning is. It does not refer to God’s existence since He is the eternal God. The Hebrew EL used in Genesis is translated God. The Hebrew word Olam in Genesis comes from the root word Im, which means eternity. El Olam in Genesis can be translated eternal, everlasting, forever God. God triune always was and always will be. The state of the Earth described in verse two seems to indicate another gap between the original creation and the Earth being without form and void, covered by the deep, and in darkness. Agreed opinion that God does not create anything chaotic, (without form and void) which the Bible confirms, For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. ‘I am the LORD,’ he says, ‘and there is no other.’ Isa 45:18, almost certainly means we are seeing the end of a former period in verse two. Prophet Uebert Angel has some messages on the subject at his YouTube channel under the heading ‘Before Adam’. I think it reasonable to assume the dinosaur age was part of this former period. Countless discoveries of dinosaur and other pre-historic bones also attest to this idea. Here with the help of Chuck Missler’s ‘Notes on Genesis’ (see his

website for this and other Genesis writings) are some facts and clues. The details of these early chapters of Genesis, the Creation and the Flood, pervade the entire Bible, and are clearly confirmed in the New Testament and by Jesus Christ personally. 1] In the beginning God created the heaven. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters = Merahefet: to hover above, flutter, brood, vibrate, as a bird with young. Only time used in Genesis. And the earth was without form, and void = hayah, ‘had become’ indicating a change from a different state. tohu, ‘without form,’ confused. Bohu, “void,” empty, waste. (Just as Lot’s wife ‘became’ a pillar of salt in Gen 19:26.) But the earth became without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Choshek, unnatural darkness (Ex 10:21). Tehowm: an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep, deep (place), depth. In the Septuagint (Greek Text) abussos, abyss; the home of demons and evil spirits. The emphasis is on the new beginning starting at verse three, which includes a mystery. Gods first act is to create light and divide it from the darkness. He calls the light day and the darkness night on the first day.(1:5) The mystery: The Sun is the source of light for the Earth. The Sun was not created until the fourth day. (1:14 -19) We know our day and night come from the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. What is the light and darkness of verse five? The best explanation, I think, is that it refers to spiritual light and spiritual darkness. The same terminology is used in other parts of the Bible. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. (1Thessalonians 5:5) Genesis chapters one and two contain the of the creation of the earth’s atmosphere, the seas, plants, trees, the sun, the moon, the stars, birds, fish, insects, every creeping thing, all animals, man and woman. This creation is presented in simple statements. We are in a unique position in our age to know the complexity behind these plain descriptions. Thanks to Quantum physics we know the entire realm of matter - liquid, solid and gas - including our bodies and the air we breathe, consists of a base of just over one hundred varieties of atom. Those atoms are active and hold together by four forces in nature. Gravity, the electromagnetic force, the strong nuclear force

and the weak nuclear force. The ground from whence our bodies come consists of around ninety elements, recorded in the periodic table, each of different atomic makeup. It is interesting to note chapter 1:24 says cattle, creeping things and every beast also came from the earth. Also, the birds 2:19. The diversity and number of insects, birds, fish, and animals in the world reveal to us what God was doing behind these simple statements. It is generally agreed there remain many undiscovered species of all sorts in the world. On record are 91,000 species of insect with an estimated 73,000 yet to be documented. 4675 species of lizard. 18,000 bird species and 36,700 species of fish. Four-legged animal species tallies at around 1.5 million. The word species means groups that are similar. The numbers above do not include the multiple varieties in each species. If we factor in the manifold functioning and behaviour programmed into each single group, we begin to understand the enormity of the task. (from our point of view) The speed limit for the Universe is the speed of light. The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles per second / 299,792 kilometres per second. Travelling at the speed of light, you would race around the Earth 7.5 times in one second. Quantum Mechanics tells us light is comprised of small quanta/packets of energy called photons. We know on the macroscopic level life is dependent on light. This fact has been underscored in the unveiling by Quantum Mechanics of light being fundamental in the very existence and activity of atoms. (For a complete book on Christianity and Quantum Mechanics – see my book ‘Christian Quantum’ print and eBook at all Online Retailers) From my book: We have the simple version again in Genesis 1:3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Notice the creation of light was God’s first declaration. Most of us realise light is essential for life on Earth. It had to come first. Quantum Mechanics has revealed a process that jumps to the top of the list of ways light is crucial to our existence. We need to go down again to the micro world inside the atom. All matter, including our bodies, is composed of atoms. The nucleus of the atom is positively charged while the electrons flying around the nucleus are negatively charged. Positives and negatives attract each other so we would expect the electrons to plunge into the nucleus causing everything including ourselves, to collapse into nothing.

But the catastrophe does not happen. It is prevented by light. Physicist Richard Feynman established that photons of light are constantly being exchanged between the nucleus and the electrons in an interaction that is enough to keep the electrons in place. Author Brian Clegg – book ‘The God Effect’ - says, “This means each atom, each physical object, each of us – contains an absolute fireball of light, busily ensuring that matter stays intact. It is not visible – it does not get out of the tight world of the atom – but it is there inside us. We are truly creatures of light.” Unquote. God spoke into existence the 391,000 plant species and the 60,065 tree species on the third day of creation. The Sun was created on the fourth day, ensuring photosynthesis was in operation to produce the oxygen necessary for Adams breathing. One of the mysteries of Quantum Mechanics, quantum tunnelling, has answered the longstanding question why our Sun has been burning for so long without burning out and is expected to burn a lot longer. The Sun is a collection of gases mostly hydrogen and helium, held together by gravity. The nuclear fusion/burning in the Sun has been in process for a long time and it will be generating heat and light for eons to come. The ‘burning’ in the Sun is created by hydrogen atoms fusing to make helium which causes a release of energy/nuclear reaction like the explosion of the atomic bomb. This creates the heat and light we get from the Sun. 600 million tons of hydrogen is fused into 596 million tons of helium per second in the Sun. What does quantum tunnelling have to do with this? Hydrogen atoms have a positive electric charge. Hence, they repel each other. How then to get the fusing needed to create helium? Quantum tunnelling to the rescue! Every so often a hydrogen atom mysteriously crosses the double positive repel barrier and unites with its fellow atom. This happens enough to give us the heat and light we need from the Sun and causes the Sun to be a ‘slow burn’ ensuring its long life. The Sun does not need oxygen to burn. It is one big nuclear explosion. Quantum Mechanics has also solved the mystery of how photosynthesis works, after the discovery of the mysterious wave/particle function of photons. In photosynthesis plants soak up some of the 1017 joules of solar energy that bathe Earth each second, harvesting as much as 95 percent of it from the light they absorb. The transformation of sunlight into carbohydrates takes place in one million billionths of a second, preventing much of that energy from dissipating as heat. How plants manage this almost instantaneous trick has been hidden.

Now biophysicists at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that plants use what will be a basic principle of quantum computing – the exploration of a multiplicity of different answers at the same time. Biophysicist Gregory Engel and his colleagues cooled a green sulphur bacterium - chlorobium tepidum, one of the oldest photo synthesizers on the planet, to minus 321 degrees Fahrenheit and then pulsed it with extremely short bursts of laser light. By manipulating these pulses, the researchers could track the flow of energy through the bacterium's photosynthetic system. "We always thought of it as hopping through the system, the same way that you or I might run through a maze of bushes," Engel explains. "But, instead of coming to an intersection and going left or right, it can actually go in both directions at once and explore many different paths most efficiently.” (That is the weirdness of Quantum Mechanics) In other words, plants are employing the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics to transfer energy from chromophore (photosynthetic molecule) to chromophore until it reaches the so-called reaction centre where photosynthesis, as it is classically defined, takes place. The particles of energy are behaving like waves. "We see very strong evidence for a wavelike motion of energy through these photosynthetic complexes," Engel said,” employing this process allows the near perfect efficiency of plants in harvesting energy from sunlight and is likely to be used by all of them. Lacking any navigational sense, most photon energy should hop aimlessly in the wrong direction, ending up in the metaphorical water.” And yet, inside plants and bacteria that perform photosynthesis, nearly all packets of photon energy reach the reaction centre. Many books have been written on what we know of the chemical and elemental composition of the human body, the functioning of the body, and human DNA. God formed Adam’s body from the ground and breathed into him. His body began its complicated functioning, he became a spiritually alive person, a breathing person, with a soul. God rested on the seventh day from all the work which He had done.(2:2) Why did God, being God, need to rest after His work of creation? I cannot envisage Him being fatigued from the exertion. When we consider all the intricacies and diversity of plant life, animal life, our biology and the non-living realm, presently revealed by science - mentioned above - it is not too much of a stretch to think even God welcomed a break. GENESIS TWO. The word heavens of (2:1) refers to the whole Universe in the

original language. Something to note for us personally. My Bible says, Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. (2:3) We can and should partake of the blessing and sanctification of the seventh day by faith. Withdrawing from our usual weekly labours to receive renewal and refreshing. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden. (2:8) This description suggests Eden was the district or area God chose for the location of the garden. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden.(2:10) The gardens irrigation came from a river that flowed from the district of Eden. Early English travellers spoke of an area in Mesopotamia (north of the Persian Gulf) referred to as Eden. A possible location for the garden of Eden is just above the northern tip of the Persian Gulf in present day Iraq. The Euphrates and Tigris (Hiddekel) rivers, fed from the melting snows of the mountains of Armenia, enter the Gulf at that point.(2:10-14) Gold has been mined in nearby Arabia since 3000BC. The area has operative gold mines today. (2:11) The remainder of the earth at that time benefitted from a mist that came up from the ground. (2:9) It may be the Garden of Eden was to be a special place for Adam and Eve as the parents of all humanity. Perhaps they would reside there as royalty, the first and only people to be created from the ground by God. Their work was maintenance of the garden. (2:15) They were instructed to be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it. (1:28). Not restricted to the garden but returning to it as their regal home – recognized and respected by the continuing generations spreading across the earth. Some mystery surrounds the garden and district of Eden, with God’s declaration of the following verse. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. Ezek 28:13 This is speaking of the devil before banishment from God’s presence. Prophet Uebert Angels explanation: We call it the Garden of Eden, but Genesis merely says God planted a garden eastward in Eden. The above verse says you were in Eden the garden of God. The district of Eden itself was a garden in the beginning, and at one time the devil as lucifer was there. Then God planted another garden eastwards in Eden for Adam and Eve. This explanation still leaves plenty of mystery, which no doubt will be answered when we progress to our immortal life with God. I

have come to respect Prophet Uebert Angel’s knowledge and interpretation of the Word of God. He does not say anything haphazardly. Genesis 1:28 says both Adam and Eve were given dominion over the lower creations. Adam began to exercise that dominion by naming the animals and birds before Eve was created. (2:19-20) God put Adam into the garden and gave him the warning about the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil - again before Eve was created.(2:15-17) The fruit trees in the garden grew from the ground. (2:9) says the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil - were also in the garden – placed there by God. The tree of life is mentioned at the beginning of the Bible and at the end. (Rev 22:2) It seems to be an important component of life wherever man is living in a sinless condition. Revelation 22:2 speaks of the tree of life as a species of tree. In the middle of its street and on either side of the river was the tree of life. (plural) The same may have been the case in the garden. A species of tree (put there by God) of more than one tree. It plays a ive roll in the lives of people dwelling where sin and the devil do not exist. The leaves of the tree in the holy city, the new Jerusalem, where the throne of God and the Lamb are, are for the healing of the nations. The tree of life is a supernatural Bible mystery. Blessed are they who do His (God’s) commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.(Rev 22:14) The tree in the garden must have played a ive roll in the spiritual life of Adam and Eve before the fall. The powerful life-giving effect of the tree is acknowledged in the banishment of Adam and Eve from the garden - lest they eat the fruit of the tree of life and live forever in a sinful condition. (3:22) The verse trails off unfinished, indicating something too horrendous to contemplate. Children develop the ability to speak and understand language in the family atmosphere. Adam received that ability, as a mature man, from God. Mankind’s first language was Hebrew. Adam alone received direct instructions from God, and he ed them on to Eve after her creation. In (3:2) Eve tells the serpent they are forbidden to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She could only have learned that from Adam. It was obviously God’s intention for these first humans – and all of us - to live free and oblivious to the concept of evil. Goodness, light, love, and the wonders of relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are our true destiny. God formed Adam directly from the ground (2:7) He formed Eve indirectly from

the ground from the rib of Adam. Adam seems excited about this new companion and the fact she was formed from a part of his physical self. (2:2123) He is impressed with the closeness of the bond between them. Notice Adam names his helper. He is man – she will be woman – and later her personal name Eve.(3:20) Eve was made a helper – in the original language one who helps and s. Who was comparable to him – in the original language - parallel conveying the sense of equality. Adam and Eve ate only herbs and fruit from the trees before the fall. (1:29) Every green herb was the sole food of the rest of creation before the fall.(1:30) The birds and animals apparently were not inclined toward fruit as they are today. GENESIS THREE. The chapter reads as if we were in the garden watching and listening. We have little indication of what might be going on in the background/spiritual realm. It gives us the actions of the physical beings involved - Eve, Adam and the serpent. God speaks to them as created beings. The serpent may have been cunning and crafty, but he was not too bright. He allowed himself to be a party to challenging God. Common sense should have stopped him bringing calamity upon himself and the others. The serpent can speak. This may indicate all or some of the animals could speak before the disobedience. Eve gives no indication the serpent speaking is other than normal. God gives us the Bible as a complete book. We can therefore look to other parts of the Bible to help with understanding of a difficult section. The rest of the Bible, in many references, tells us the devil used the serpent at this time to induce Eve to disobey God. The serpent consciously allowed the devil to use him – hence his judgment by God. Most of the Bible references to serpents from this point on are synonymous with evil, evil people, or the devil. (2 Corinthians 11:3,4) Paul equates the serpent’s temptation of Eve with Church being enticed away by false teachers. Obviously, Paul is not referring to the animal rather the devil in false teachers. (Revelation 12:9,12-15) The devil is called a dragon and a serpent in these verses. Here the devil as all three is the deceiver of the whole world. Eve blames the serpent for deceiving her.(3:13) Jesus called the Jewish religious leaders a brood of vipers (poisonous snakes). (Mathew 3:7 and 12:34) He equates trampling upon serpents with the power He gives to overcome the devil. (Luke 10:19) Isaiah’s description of the new Heaven and Earth (Isa 65:17-25) tells us even then the serpent’s food will be dust.

We could paraphrase the serpent’s approach to Eve as: “I heard on the grapevine God is not allowing you to eat from any of the trees in the garden. Is that true?” His inference is God is unfair to do that to you. Eve sets him straight regarding the rumour. Only the fruit of tree of the knowledge of good and evil is forbidden. Her response makes her culpable. It reveals her clear knowledge of what God had forbidden. The serpent calls God a liar and Eve accepts the lie and blatantly disobeys. Adam also rejects God’s commandment. (3:11) and accepts the fruit from Eve and eats. Eve saw the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise.(3:6) We know the other trees in the garden were good for food. (1:29) (2:16) Surely at least some of them must have been pleasant to the eye. What more is needed to make one wise than a relationship with the God who created you? Obviously, Eve did not carefully consider what she already had. The devil was offering her what she possessed in abundance, His offer was a step down from what she presently enjoyed. Eating the fruit does not seem to have immediately changed Eve. It is logical to assume if Adam had noticed a change in her he would have been alerted to the dangers of the fruit. I often wonder what the result would have been if Adam had refused the fruit – Eve disobedient and Adam unchanged? Their eyes were opened after Adam ate. (3:7) Unfortunately, they both ate and they both died. The death was a separation from their unity with God. They died spiritually and physically. Their bodies which had been eternally alive now began a slow descent into destruction. Spiritually they became united with the devil. God tells Adam he will eventually return to dust. (3:19) Ephesians 2:1–2 explains the immediate change in Adam and Eve and the entire world. And you were dead in your treses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. This chapter shows Adam and Eve had a massive change in their experience. I have heard it suggested before the fall they were clothed with light. Which has some Scripture since God Himself dwells in light. (1Tim 6:16) (Rev 21:23-24) (Rev 22:5) At any rate now they have become excessively self-aware in a way far removed from their previous state. Previously they enjoyed

continuous harmony with God, now they fear Him, knowing something about themselves is opposed to Him. John G Lake made these comments in one of his sermons: ‘The fall of man was his fall into himself. He fell into his own earthly self, out of his heavenly estate, and the separation was absolute and complete. Failure in receiving the Gospel of Jesus in its full truth has one origin - ’Man fell into his own earthly self.’ Our humanity, the I, the self, is the hinderance to accepting all God has for us. We understand their experience because it is also our experience without Christ. Romans explains their state after the fall and our condition without Christ. That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.(Rom 8:4-8) Eternal life, light, peace and love in relationship with God, in a harmonious joy filled eternal world - had become anxiety, fear, suffering, death, destruction and slavery to the devil, in an accursed world.(3:14,17) Romans 5:12 puts it this way. Therefore, just as through one-man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. All that Adam had dominion over changed for the worse because of his disobedience. The ground was cursed. (3:17) The animals were cursed. (3:14) For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly – because of some intentional fault on lts part - but by the will of him who subjected it, in hope; that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay and gain entrance into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in pains of childbirth until now. ( Rom 8:20-22) At Gods enquiry Eve shifts the blame to the serpent and Adam blames Eve. (3:12,13) Eve and the serpent receive personal punishment from God. Adam does not. (3:14,15,16-19) The serpent will continue to eat dust in the new Heaven and new Earth.(Isa 65:17-25) On top of trouble in childbirth, Eve loses something of her equality with Adam. Your desire shall be for your husband and

he shall rule over you. (3:16) We know, even in our modern times, in many societies, woman do not hold equal status with men. As I wrote this I wondered if the Suffragettes who struggled for women’s right to vote, knew they were up against a condition instituted by God. The equality has been restored through Jesus, but where His atonement is not accepted the inequality remains. As I read it, Adam does not receive a personal punishment. He is told the earth is cursed because of his disobedience. His life will be hard toil ending in physical death. (3:21) Obviously the skins God clothed Adam and Eve with came from animals that had been killed. Was this an instance of vicarious atonement long before the Law was given? Was the sacrifice of those animals necessary to enable God to continue to interact with newly fallen man? At the very least it is symbolic of the Law to come, and finally of Jesus’ once for all sacrifice of Himself. (3:22-24) We are given no indication of Gods feelings about this tragic scenario. No doubt it caused Him much sorrow and disappointment. The special place He lovingly prepared for His two royal ones, the garden, is now a banned area to them. The garden remains but patrolled by cherubim and the tree of life by a flaming sword. I recently read a Christian fiction story which made an impression on me. Amateur treasure hunters stumble upon the entrance to the Garden of Eden, a spiritual place, still guarded by the Cherubim who speak out and warn them. One of the bad guys attempts to enter the garden and perishes. Some think the flood of Noahs time obliterated all evidence of the garden, and any hope of finding it. From eternal royalty Adam now becomes a labourer driven from the garden to make his living tilling the ground in the sweat of his brow, until he returns to the earth in death.

THE GOOD THINGS TO COME ARE HERE.

HEBREWS 10 (10:1) The Law was a mere shadow of Gods paramount intention. A vapor in contrast to the ultimate and final atonement. Jesus’ atonement is called the good things to come. Gods intention was always to make believers perfect. The sacrifices continually offered year by year could never achieve that. (10:2) If perfection could have been attained by the Law the sacrifices would have ceased to be offered. The worshipers would have been once for all purified, having no more consciousness of sins. This phrase is one of the Bibles most sensational statements. It is an indirect description of the results of Jesus’ atonement. The person receiving Christs atonement is once for all purified, having no more consciousness of sins. Jesus atoning sacrifice is stated in these verses as giving us three things – perfection, purification and no more consciousness of sins. If that challenges your present beliefs, it is important to we live according to the Word of God. If our Denomination or any other theological teaching disagrees with Gods Word it must be rejected. Purification is freedom from that which defiles – sin. Freedom from sin means no more consciousness of sins. No more consciousness of sins and purity is perfection. (10:3) Many Christians have an Old Testament faith in Jesus’ atonement. (though in reality such a thing does not exist) The year by year sacrifices of the Law were a continual reminder of sins because sin was never eradicated. Many Christians treat Christs atonement as a continual reminder of their sins, not believing He has purified them once for all. Paul is saying the big problem of the Law was it never got rid of sin. That is not Gods desire for us. Another part of Hebrews says Christ has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Heb 9:26) If you do not believe you are once for all purified, have no more consciousness of sins, and are made perfect, your faith is founded on false information. (10:4) It was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could permanently take away sins. (10:5-7) Because the complete eradication of sin was Gods intention, another remedy had to be found. Therefore – the verse begins with this word. Therefore, God had another plan. His plan was the offering of the body of Jesus as the once for all sacrifice for sin.

Therefore, when He came into the world He said: ‘sacrifice and offering you did not desire. But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come – In the volume of the book it is written of Me – To do your will O God.’ This was the high cost of the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The only way to retrieve all they gave away. The body, the life, the blood, of the Divine Son of God in our place. (10:8,9) When Jesus said, ‘Behold, I am come to do your will O God’, this verse tells us He takes away the Law as the answer for the problem of sin, and establishes His own atonement as the only remedy. (10:10) By this wonderful will of God we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The original language meaning of the word sanctified is ‘to make holy’ You and I can agree with Gods Word and accept we are holy. Not from our own ideas or actions, but because God says so. Indeed. we should be careful not to refer to ourselves in any other way - as a responsible response to Christs commitment for us. (feel free to take a break here to dance before the Lord in praise and worship!!) (I did!!) Meditating on these wonders recalls Peters exhortation in his first letter: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while , if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:6-9) (10:11) For the priests under the Law it was continuous toil, always standing, repeatedly offering the same sacrifices daily. All the exertion could never takeaway sins. The Priests were never able to sit because the work was never finished. (10:12) BUT this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. We had a visiting speaker one day while I was in Bible College. The College President had asked him to demonstrate homiletics/preaching. His theme was - ‘seated Priest, finished work.’ I do not

know how many times he repeated it. It certainly stuck in my mind. Jesus, both God and man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Our great High Priest could sit. All the work was done. He who had suffered so much: Just as many were astonished at you. So, His visage was marred more than any man. And His form more than the sons of men. So, shall He sprinkle many nations. (Isa 52:14,15) Is now seated in the place of pleasure: For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life: In your presence is fulness of joy: At your right hand are pleasures for evermore.(Ps 16:10,11) (10:13) From that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. The battle has been won. The fall and the curse have been reversed. The devil’s deception has been turned back upon him. The power he gained from it torn from his grasp. ......For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1John 3:8) In as much then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.(Heb 2:14) ........and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion , and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephes 1:19-23) The finished redemptive work of Jesus is now to be established in the earth against the devil, by the Church, in the power of God the Father. Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians ......that you may know......what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe...(Ephes 1:19) A few years ago I dreamed I was standing in the front yard of my house with a group of people. It was a barbecue. While the people were present, I kept thinking ‘they do not know what I have at the back of the house’. The funny thing was I did not know what was at the back of the house either. When everybody had gone, I became

aware what was at the back of the house was coming around to the front. I anxiously kept watch for it to appear. To my surprise a large tiger appeared. It walked up to me. Its shoulder height was about level with the top of my head and it was about 12 feet long. I was scared at first but quickly realised it was my tiger, and was not going to harm me. The dream finished with me wondering what I was supposed to do with the tiger. I had a Christian dream symbols dictionary which revealed tiger meant power. I realized after some thought God was showing me I did not have enough appreciation of the exceeding greatness of His power to toward us who believe. And when I became fully aware of the power, I did not know how to use it. Maybe that speaks to you? His triumph is why Christ is now able to give us the winners ammunition. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.(Math 16:19) (10:14) For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. The words perfect, perfected, perfection, have appeared seven times up to this point in Hebrews. The original language is ‘are sanctified’ rather than ‘being sanctified’. Which fits with the ‘once for all’ ‘it is finished’ ‘no more work to be done’ theme of this book. Some have had a problem with the term perfect. A bumper sticker popular years ago ‘Christians are not perfect just forgiven’ is a case in point. It makes an excuse for Christians which is not ed by the Bible. To be forgiven is to be cleansed from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9. It is an example of changing God’s word to suit man’s ideas. The proper approach is that we are invited to go up to God’s level through His Word. It is an honour and the blessing Jesus obtained for us. It is never wise to challenge clear statements from the Word of God. The best discussion on perfection I have found, comes from Adam Clarkes Commentary – quote: Many stagger at the term perfection in Christianity; because they think that what is implied in it is inconsistent with a state of probation, and savours of pride and presumption; but we must take good heed how we stagger at any word of God; and much more how we deny and fritter away the meaning of any of His sayings, lest He reprove us, and we be found liars before Him. But it may be that the term is rejected because it is not understood. Let us examine its import.

The word 'perfection' in reference to any person or thing, signifies that such a person or thing is complete or finished; that it has nothing redundant, and is in nothing defective. As someone has said, we count those things perfect which want nothing requisite for the end whereto they were instituted. And to be perfect often signifies, to be blameless, clear, irreproachable. (For He (God) chose us in Him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love. Ephes 1:4) A man may be said to be perfect who answers the end for which God made him. The whole design of God was to restore man to His image, and raise him from the ruins of his fall, in a word, to make him perfect, to blot out all his sins, purify his soul, and fill him with holiness; so that no unholy temper, evil desire, or impure affection or ion should either lodge or have any being within him; this and this only is true religion or Christian perfection. A less salvation than this would be dishonourable to the sacrifice of Christ, and the operation of the Holy Ghost; and would be unworthy of the appellation of 'Christianity'. Those who deny it, deny the whole scope and design of divine revelation and the mission of Jesus Christ. When St Paul says he ‘warns every man and teaches every man in all wisdom, that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,' (Col 1:28) he must mean something. What then is this something? It must mean that holiness without which none shall see the Lord. Call it by what name we please, it must imply the pardon of all transgression, and the removal of the whole body of sin and death; for this must take place before we can be like Him, and see Him as He is, in the effulgence of His own glory. This fitness then, to appear before God, and thorough preparation for eternal glory, is what I plead for, pray for, and heartily recommend to all true believers, under the name of Christian Perfection. When Christ casts out the strong-armed man He takes away that armour in which he trusted , He spoils his goods, He cleanses and enters into the house, so that the heart becomes the habitation of God through the Spirit. Can then a man under value that Christ who not only blotted out his iniquity, but cleansed his soul from all sin; and whose presence and inward mighty working constitute all his holiness and all his happiness? Impossible! Jesus was never so highly valued, so intensely loved, so affectionately obeyed, as now. The great Saviour has not

His highest glory from His atoning and redeeming acts, but from the manifestation of His saving power. Unquote (Adam Clarkes Commentary free on Bible Hub.com) The theme of perfection in the Bible begins with Gods instruction to Abraham. When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abraham and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before me and be perfect.’ (Gen 17:1) By the one offering of Jesus we are made forever perfect. Restored to the purpose and life for which God made us. (10:15,16) The Holy Spirit says, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days says the Lord; I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them. This quote from Jeremiah 31:33 is a prophecy of what happens in the lives of all who accept Christs’ atonement. Our union with God through Jesus is such that we share God’s heart and mind. Paul put it simply. I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me....(Galatians 2:20) (10:17) God forgets our past. (10:18) Where there is remission of sins, sacrifice for sin is no longer needed. (10:19) Mathew tells us when Jesus gave up His spirit and expired, on the cross, immediately the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Math 27:50,51). This was the veil that divided the Holy place from the Most Holy place (also called the Holy of Holies) where the presence of God dwelt in the temple. The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the day of atonement, to make atonement for the sins of the people. The strict instructions for the High Priest on that day were given to Moses by God. They are recorded in Leviticus chapter sixteen. Failure to follow the regimen meant death for the High Priest. It is thought the veil before the Most Holy Place was 40 cubits (60 feet) long, and 20 (30 feet) wide, of the thickness of the palm of the hand approximately four inches. Can you imagine the astonishment and shock of the Jews when this happened? Since the time of Moses none but the High Priest had ever entered the Most Holy Place. An attempt at entry by anyone else meant certain death. Now the Most Holy Place was open to the gaze of all! The bulk of the veil and the fact it was torn from top to bottom eliminated any idea of human involvement. At the

very instant Jesus expired the veil was rent. (Math 27:50,51) A categorical statement by God of the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant in Christ. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4) Now the only High Priest is Jesus. (Heb 7:26) He has entered the tabernacle in heaven and put His blood on the mercy seat, a once for all atonement for sin. As the Law was a shadow of the good things to come, so Moses’ tabernacle was a copy of the true heavenly tabernacle which the Lord erected not man. (Heb 8:2) Our verse declares we can boldly enter Gods holy presence and will one day be in heaven, and reign with Jesus on the Earth through the blood of Jesus. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place (in heaven) once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Heb 9:12) (10:20,21) The law is finished. We have a new and living way. The way is new with life. The old system temporarily covered men’s sins. It was inadequate. In Christ we are given a holy life. The ability to live as holy sons and daughters of our holy Father. It is offered to all who will sincerely believe. ....But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...(2Tim 1:10) Jesus is our High Priest over the house of God – the family of God. (10:22) Adam and Eve hid from God because of sin. We can now draw near – move close to God. In full assurance of faith – confident faith - because our hearts have been sprinkled from an evil conscience – no more consciousness of sins - by the blood of Jesus. Our bodies washed with pure water may refer to baptism, and/or receiving and reading the Word of God (Ephes 5:26) (10:23) Paul exhorts us to persist in speaking out our hope and faith in the gospel, because God is faithful and will keep all His promises. (10:24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. The New Living translation gets closer to the meaning of the original language: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Having fully discussed the atonement and its benefits, Paul moves to the next subject in order of priority. Now that we are saved and made holy, we are to be lovers. Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. (John 13:34,35) All will

know we are followers of Jesus, not by our church programs or charismatic leaders but because we love each other. 1Corinthians 13 is the New Testaments definition of love in action. Love does not often appeal to the flesh. Love needs a committed decision on our part. Love also must be activated by faith; because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom 5:5) We find the ability to love in our spirit – our heart. It is not a fleshly exercise. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.( Rom 13:14.) I discovered if I intentionally say ‘I put on the Lord Jesus’ in faith, it makes a big difference. We do not look to our feelings to love as the ungodly do. For us love must be a conscious faith decision. Love moves in the opposite direction to our humanity most of the time. Adam Clarke says the good works in this verse mean and signify excitement, stirring up, to do anything laudable (praise-worthy, excellent) useful, honourable, or necessary. (10:25 – 31) Not forsaking, at the beginning of these verses, in the original language, means to leave behind or desert. In the context of what Paul goes on to say, it seems he is warning of the disastrous consequences for those who turn away from the faith and return to their former life. As some seem to have done. For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth. These people have set their wills to abandon Christian fellowship and faith in Christ. Tribulation, it seems, is the reason for some turning back. He says rather they should be exhorting one another to persevere. And much more as you see the day approaching. The first Christians expected the Lord to return in their lifetime. Paul attempts to put the fear of God into those who are planning to abandon life in Christ. (10:32 – 36) Possibly some were feeling worn down by lengthy periods of persecution and tribulation. Paul asks them to their former sufferings and struggles and of him while he was in chains. At that time, they endured the plundering of their goods. The early church had a mindset we are largely lacking. These joyfully accepted the plundering of their goods, recognizing the reality of their inheritance in heaven. Pauls answer is to retain their confidence in the gospel through God given endurance, ing the promised reward. (see Math 5:11,12 below) Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement, grant that you be of the same mind

with one another according to Christ Jesus. (Rom 15:5) The amplified Bible adds to this verse saying endurance is to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising. After you have done the will of God. It is always Gods will that we go through hard times with the endurance and encouragement our relationship with Him supplies. Having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (Math 5:11,12) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (10:37 – 39) For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come...Again we see the early church expected the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. The apostle seems to have drawn on Habakkuk 2: 3,4 for these verses. The justified in Christ must live by trust in the word of God when it comes to the crunch. We hold our position, not drawing back, to the saving of our souls. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:13)

A CLOSER LOOK REVEALS TRUTH

ROMANS 7 (7:1 -16 ) Paul is talking in these verses about the inadequacy of the law. Since the topic is covered above, I will briefly summarise the verses. Without Christ we are carnal and non-spiritual. Dead in treses and sins. Jesus died to pay the penalty of sin. All who genuinely receive His atonement are born again spiritually. Enabled to live a spiritual life in God, with power over the sinful body we live in on this Earth. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4) But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. (Gal 5:18) And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its ions and desires. (Gal 5:24) If we live in the Spirit; let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:25) Therefore the law was our tutor (school master) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (in Jesus) (Gal 3:24) God used a simple and straight forward method to teach the apostle Peter about the end of the law, and faith in Jesus available to all. Leviticus chapter eleven contains a long list of animals, birds, insects, fish and other creeping things forbidden for eating by the Israelites. This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten. (Lev 11:46,47) The next day as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the house top to pray. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “ Rise Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. (Acts 10:9 – 16) Acts 10 is the subject of an entire chapter. All the chapter is discussed there in greater detail. This was a twofold lesson for Peter. Not only was the law finished, but the Gentiles, whom the Jews considered doomed because they were outside the law, could also be righteous by faith in Christ. I am surprised Peter accepted the message as rapidly as he did. God delivered him from centuries of Jewish practise in a

matter of minutes. Further on in Acts Peter lets us in on a secret about the Jews and the law. In a debate around whether the Gentiles converts should be circumcised – a necessity under the law – Peter explains how God sent him to preach the gospel of faith in Jesus to the Gentiles. To the leaders at Jerusalem, he says, “Now therefore why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the (Gentile) disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Acts 15:10) (7:17- 25) As the reader may be aware, the remainder of the verses of this chapter are often used as a proof text for the two natures teaching. This opinion says Christians have two natures – a sin nature and a Divine nature. The New Testament does not that theory, and a careful reading of these verses in Romans seven disproves the idea altogether. If this age is skimmed over quickly it seems at first to the idea. Three times in the age Paul writes of his problem with sin as – sin that dwells in me (twice :17,20) – in me nothing good dwells (:18) The key to all Paul is saying is found in verse 18. For I know that in me (that is. in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. It is as though Paul suddenly realizes he may be misunderstood in his explanation, and he adds the five words in brackets. He is saying, when I talk about sin in me, I am talking about my flesh. What does he mean by ‘flesh’? He tells us in verse 23. But I see another law in my , warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my . The word in the original language means body. in English is also understood to mean body parts. He makes it unmistakable as to his meaning in the next verse (:24) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? In the entire age he has been talking about his struggle with his sinful body. He tells us the condition of his inward man. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. (:22) Paul is teaching using his own experience as an example – knowing those he is addressing have the same experience, as do we all. His aim is to save us all the struggle to find out these things the hard way. He is putting himself forward as an example, then teaching in Romans chapter eight how he sorted it all out to live a victorious spiritual life. The inner experience of those he is teaching is explained in the previous chapter.

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (6:22) Obviously the teacher will have the experience of those he is teaching. To summarise we could paraphrase Paul as saying; “You have been set free from sin and become holy within. Now you need to understand you are still living in a sinful body and you need to learn how to handle it, as I did.” It is that simple. Romans seven has been made needlessly complicated and mysterious. ....But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (8:13) Those few words explain the theme of Romans eight. Romans eight confirms Pauls meaning of Romans seven because it is a natural progression of his instruction on living victoriously in a body corrupted by sin. Paul, as a loving Pastor, is anxious his beloved converts will not be turned back from a Godly life. We saw him in Hebrews10, working hard to prevent his converts from being defeated by tribulation and persecution. In these two chapters his efforts are directed at teaching converts how to persevere and succeed while living in a sinful body. Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thank God it comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is what I know about myself at this point, Paul says - With the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. We can make note of a theme here that is in all of Paul’s writing. He never speaks of the flesh or the body as himself. Who shall deliver me from this body of death? I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. He does it deliberately because it is fundamental to his understanding and teaching of life in Christ. For the love of Christ compels us because we judge thus (have concluded this); if one died for all, then all died. (2Cor 5:14) Here is Pauls basic reason for preaching the gospel to every person. Every living person on the earth has died in Christ if they will receive it. To the Colossians he says, ...for you died, and your (true real- Amplified) life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3) For Paul his body is merely a vessel that must carry his true spiritual self while he lives on the earth. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels....(2Cor 4:7) For I discipline my body and bring it into subjection lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1Cor 9:27) Though it can be somewhat confrontational, a simple way to establish this in our minds is to the physical person I see in the mirror, is not going to

make it to heaven. For this I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit incorruption. (1Cor 15:50) Our corrupt flesh will be changed to immortality. Paul gives his complete teaching on this matter in a few verses in one Corinthians fifteen. If we grasp this it will line our thinking up with the truth about ourselves. The first man was of earth, made of dust, the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust, and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have born the image of the man of dust, so we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. For this I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed – in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.(1 Cor 15: 47-53) The body we live in here is corrupt and mortal (liable to death) Its destination is back to dust. Because of the wonderful salvation of the Lord Jesus, whether we sleep or are alive at His coming, we shall be changed into a state that cannot be corrupted. For a brief return to Pauls separation, in his speech, of his body from his true self, we get a one verse description of Pauls perception of his person in Galatians. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20) Notice again Paul speaks of himself and the flesh as separate, Another great fact to notice in that verse, is Paul is now living by Jesus’ faith. ROMANS 8 (8:1) No condemnation in this verse is conditional. No condemnation is for those who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Why? For if you live according to the flesh you will die.... (8:11) Living according to the flesh will move you away from God. The first chapter of the Gospel of John makes this statement. But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12) We become the children of God by living according to the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God; these are the sons of God.

(8:14) We should be on our guard against so called religious forms of Christianity, lest we find ourselves with a form of Godliness but denying its power. (2Tim 3:5) True Christianity is, and has always been, a close personal life with God in obedience and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. (8:2) We have a new law to live by - The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. If we accept that law, we will be free from the law of sin and death. (8:3) Sin made the law powerless to help us. But God had a plan. He sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh – but without sin and in a sinless body, to pay the price of death on behalf of every sinful person. In so doing He condemned sin in the flesh. He judged it and bought it to an end. Every sinner upon the earth can now be liberated from sin. (8:4) Jesus gave us the ability to be righteous – the requirement of the law – by enabling us to walk according to the Spirit. (8:5) Previously we were prisoners of sin. Now we have a choice. It is a decision we make with our thinking. We can choose to have the mind of the flesh, or the mind of the Spirit. The choice of our mind is the action of will. If any man wills to do His (God’s) will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God....(John 7:17) In this also we have God’s help. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philip 2:13) Set their minds on – who make a permanent long-term decision. As Jesus did. Now it came to , when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem. (Lu 9:51) If we choose to walk according to the Spirit, we trigger all of God’s and backing for the task. (Philip 2:13 above) (8:6) The colloquial term no-brainer comes to mind here. Meaning a decision that does not require mental effort and is obvious. To be carnally (fleshly) minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (8:7) If we set our minds on living in the flesh, we put ourselves at enmity (to be in a feud with) against God. The carnal (fleshly) mind does not subject itself to the will of God – it is unable to. The carnal mind is in an unalterable state of hostility towards God.

(8:8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God, no matter how hard they try. Mankind’s only hope is to submit to the change Jesus offers. (8:9) Paul answers the question; how do I know if I am in the flesh or in the Spirit? If the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are in the Spirit. If we do not have the Spirit of Christ, we do not belong to Him. (8:10) This is the state of your being, Paul explains, as a Christian living on the earth. The body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. The carnal mind is a part of the body of death, which is slowly deteriorating and will return to dust (or be changed at the rapture). It is imperative we understand these things. We do not have two natures, but we do continue to live temporarily in a body ruined by sin. It does not submit itself to Gods law. For the present time we must continually reject the carnal mind and choose the mind of the Spirit. (8:11) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. The word life here in the original language means to vitalize. When speaking of our final resurrection Paul uses the words raised or changed. Therefore, it is more than likely this verse refers to God ing and energising our present bodies as we do His work on the earth. Anytime our bodies are healed or receive the benefit of miracles, life has been imparted to it by God. Failed functioning of our mortal bodies in whatever way, means hinderance to our spiritual ministry here on earth. Though our body is dead because of sin, it is still the temple of the Holy Spirit while we are on the earth. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1Cor 6:19) Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (1Cor 6:13) I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God. That you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God - In His plan and purpose for you. (Rom 12:1,2) Paul is speaking from personal experience. His body took a considerable

battering as he served God, much of which would have killed Him or rendered him a complete invalid. He lists some of his bodily tribulations in 2 Corinthians eleven. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times ship wrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep....in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness...(2Cor 11:25-27) Remarkably he is able by the grace of God to call his sufferings our light affliction. (2Cor 4:17) Acts 14:18 - 21 has the record of Pauls stoning. It is the record of a miracle. These Jews from Antioch and Iconium came here; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. This incident happened on Pauls first missionary journey, some ten years before he wrote Romans. Humanly speaking it would have been impossible for a person who had been stoned – we are not told if Paul was raised from death here – to stand up, walk back to his lodgings, and continue on his travels the next day. In Pauls mind this of God for his human body, is associated with the raising of the dead and the final resurrection. He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal body by His Spirit who dwells in you. When he tells of God’s intervention in of his mortal body, he equates it with the raising of the dead. It is related to God’s work of raising the dead. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. (2 Cor 1:9) He is asserting each time this happens to him it reinforces the truth of Jesus victory over death. O Death, where is your sting. O Hades where is your victory? (1Cor 15:55) Each time God does this death is swallowed up in victory.(1Cor 15:54) Because through death He (Jesus) destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Heb 2:14) Each time God intervenes to help the mortal body it is a manifestation of Jesus victory over death in those who belong to Him. (8:12) Therefore brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. This fortifying by God of our entire being, removes any indebtedness to the flesh. (8:13) Pauls hearers will never be able to claim ignorance. He is relentless in

these ages in pressing the point. If you live according to the flesh you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. We keep the body under control through our union with God in the Holy Spirit. We turn the tables on the body of death. Rather than being brought to death by the flesh, we put its deeds to death through our life in Christ. (8:14) Now Paul introduces a new dimension to walking according the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God. As many as come under the guidance and leadership of God’s Spirit. These are sons of God. The answer to the question; am I a son of God? Is found through another question. Have I made myself completely available to God’s Spirit? Have I turned my life over to His instruction and direction? The African Prophet Shepherd Bushiri ministers to 80,000 people at the Pretoria Showgrounds in South Africa each Sunday (during the writing of this book he returned to his home Country Malawi). He has a simple way of getting the truth of discipleship across to the people. He instructs 80,000 people to say ‘Jesus’. Then to declare ‘He’s my boss’. It is manifestly true of his own life. The profoundness and simplicity of that slogan impressed me. I had a couple of T shirts printed with the motto. I still have a cap with the motto on it. It is a great way to let the world know where your priorities are. (8:15) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba Father’. Jesus used this term during His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. And He said, ‘Abba Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.’ (Mark 14:36) The word Abba speaks of a relationship of personal intimacy.’ Your new relationship with God is immeasurably different, Paul says, from where you have come from. Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He himself (Jesus) likewise shared in the same; that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, (Heb 2:14,15) I have often prayed the first line of the third verse, of a song that came out of the Welsh revival - Here is Love. ‘Let me all thy love accepting love thee ever all my days.’ Some have difficulty accepting God loves them. The remedy is found

in ing Christ’s crucifixion – the greatest act of love. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1John 4:10) Also, as we will to do God’s will and submit ourselves to being led by the Spirit, our relationship with God takes deep-root, and love comes to enlargement in our experience. (8:16) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Witness means to be present at. The presence of the Holy Spirit with our spirit confirms we are children of God. He is the proof we are in God’s family. (8:17) It is not surprising Paul sees suffering as intrinsic to life in Christ. Jesus made it clear suffering would be Pauls lot. So, the Lord said to him, (Ananias) ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight. ’Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my names sake.’ And if children then heirs – heirs of God and t heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Paul says the Holy Spirits presence within you affirms you are children of God. All children are automatically heirs of their Father. We are t heirs as sons with the Son of God. Having said all that Paul then adds a proviso. If indeed we suffer with Him (Jesus) In Pauls mind, a genuine Christian experience will always include suffering to some degree. And we have his prophetic statement to Timothy, which includes us all, Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2Tim 3:12 Of this age Adam Clarke says, Quote; And if children, then heirs - For the legitimate children can alone inherit the estate. This is not an estate to which they succeed in consequence of the death of a former possessor; it is like the promised land, given by God himself, and divided among the children of the family.

Heirs of God - It is neither an earthly portion nor a heavenly portion; but God himself, who is to be their portion. It is not heaven they are to inherit; it is God, who is infinitely greater and more glorious than heaven itself. With such powers has God created the soul of man, that nothing less than himself can be a sufficient and satisfactory portion for the mind of this most astonishing creature. t heirs with Christ - Partaking of the same eternal glory with the glorified human nature of Christ. If so be that we suffer with him - Observe, says Dr. Taylor, how prudently the apostle advances to the harsh affair of suffering. He does not mention it till he had raised up their thoughts to the highest object of joy and pleasure - the happiness and glory of a t inheritance with the everblessed Son of God. We are heirs, heirs of God, and t heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him. This, with the additional consideration that we suffer with Christ, or, as he himself suffered, would greatly qualify the transitory afflictions of this world, and dispose them to attend to the other arguments he had to offer. Unquote From John Wesley’s Bible notes: Quote: t heirs - That we may know it is a great inheritance which God will give us for he hath given a great one to his Son. If we suffer with him - Willingly and cheerfully, for righteousness' sake. Unquote. Certainly, the New Testament reveals the early Church expected suffering, saw it as a privilege, and rejoiced in it. ...And they agreed with him, and when they (the chief priests) had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded them that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. and let them go. And they (the apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (Acts 5:40,41)

Paul’s prayer for a successful Christian life includes a request for suffering. ....that I may know Him (Jesus) and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death....(Philip 3:10) He tells the Philippian Church their sufferings are proof of their salvation from God....and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (Philip 1:28) They have been gifted and honoured with suffering for Jesus name sake. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to

suffer for His sake. (Philip 1:29) I often think of an incident from John Wesley’s Journals. He became concerned about God’s approval of his ministry because of a lack of persecution. Halting his horse beside a farm property he dismounted to pray about it. The farmer who must have been having a bad day, threw a stone at Wesley which struck him on the back. Wesley took that as confirmation of God’s approval, remounted and happily rode off. There may be times in our lives, I have had a few, when having done all we can, we will need to accept the apostle Peters advice. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1Pet 4:12,13) ....if indeed we suffer with Him, (Jesus) that we may be also glorified together. The word glory here in the original language means Sun - and doxazo; to exalt to dignity in company with. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves, and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.(Math 17:1,2,) Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:3) Those who share the sufferings of Jesus shall be – doxazo – exalted to dignity in company with Him. ....if indeed we suffer with Him, (Jesus) that we may be also glorified together. There seems to be an extra glory reward for those who suffer for Jesus. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.(2Cor 4:17) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my (Jesus) sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Math 5:11,12) (8:18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Paul was able to view his sufferings for Jesus from an eternal perspective. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of

glory.(2 Cor 4:17) Compared with eternity the events of this present time are but for a moment. The Evangelist Jesse Du Plantis records in his book – Heaven - his meeting with the apostle Paul in heaven. At that time Paul said to him, “tell the Church I said suffering is but for a moment. The Church has made it a lifetime.” I am not sure what he wanted us to understand by a lifetime, but the age served to establish in my mind this teaching by Paul. The glimpse of eternity granted to Paul may have been allowed him, to balance the hard times he was to endure. His attitude to suffering may be founded upon that experience. For I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know, God knows – such a one was caught up to the third heaven.......how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Cor 12:2-4) The glory which shall be revealed in us. The original language for revealed means to uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto, to take off the cover. To disclose. Paul’s meaning here is not a glory that shall be added to us. It is a glory we have now. A time is coming when that glory will be uncovered. Disclosed means: allow something hidden to be seen. Paul may have seen this about himself. We will have to take it by faith if God does not allow us a similar experience. Our glorification is confirmed in Romans 8:30. In Christ we have been glorified. ...As He (Jesus) is so are we in this world. (1John 4:17) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephes 5:8) I believe by the grace of God we carry within us the same manifestation of light as was seen in and upon Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration.(Math 17:1,2) For most of Christ’s life on earth that glory was hidden, but was no less real for not being seen. It is not difficult to find testimonies of light being seen on or around Christians. I heard a lady testify to that sort of experience at an African fellowship in Melbourne Australia. She and a friend were out attempting to preach the gospel on the street. A man expressed his disapproval saying, ‘we know who you are.’ The women asked, ‘how do you know us’? He answered, ‘we can see the light over your heads,’ The fullest extent of our glory will be seen when we are raised from sleep or changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (8:19 – 22) A question over the translation of the word creation has made these a difficult few verses for some commentators. The revealing of the sons of God

and the glorious liberty of the sons of God is explained by Paul in verse 23. It refers to the time we will receive the redemption of the body. . Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed – in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.(1 Cor 15: 47-53) 1Thessalonians 5:2 tells us that event and the events accompanying it will come as a thief in the night. Paul gives us more information about this event in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Now brethren concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means, for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God, in the Temple of God, showing himself as God. (2Thess 2:1 – 4 ) It will come unexpectedly, but not without some obvious signs. For the creation was subjected to futility. If we accept creation meaning all that was created in the first chapters of Genesis. Then Paul is talking about the curse that came to everything under Adams authority. Futility or frustration means the chaotic state of the world because of the fall. Death, disease and destruction dominate at every level – man, animal, vegetable and mineral. Paul envisages the creation as groaning for release from this curse. Perhaps, by groaning, he is referring to the daily expressions of misery and sorrow by people and animals as death, disease and destruction are at work. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits. This is not the first time the Bible speaks of creation as having consciousness. Eagerly expecting and groaning are usually descriptive of living things. In my book ‘Christian Quantum’ I mention I had not taken much notice of the many Bible references to creation having consciousness. The trees clap their hands – the mountains and hills break forth into singing – are two examples from the Psalms. Quantum Mechanics has proven beyond doubt some sort of conscious activity on the behalf of microscopic matter. The many testimonies from visitors to heaven of creation there responding to them, made we wonder if the material realm here may have had that ability before Adam and Eve’s disobedience. The blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground. Perhaps Paul having that understanding,

hears the groaning of the suffering creation. As a last reference on the subject – Mark 11:13,14. This age says Jesus ‘answered’ the fig tree – ‘let no one eat fruit from you ever again’. This has all the hallmarks of a conversation. Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. As previously mentioned, Paul seems to have had an expectation of these things happening in his lifetime....And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1Thess 4:16,17) His use of we who are alive and remain can only be interpreted as his expectation of this happening in his lifetime. For we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs together until now. Paul must be referring here to the coming new heavens and new earth. Because Paul uses the word ‘now’ it may also be referring in part to the Lords instruction to us to preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15. The manifestation of the Kingdom of God through us may be included. And as you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give....Math 10:7 The preaching and works of the Kingdom of God are a demonstration of the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and a sign to all creation of God’s kingdom returned to Earth. A time will come when the creation will be free from the curse brought upon it by Adam. The wolf shall also dwell with the lamb. The leopard shall lie down with the young goat. The calf and the young lion and the fatling together. And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together. And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole. And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isa 11:6-9) The present creation will be destroyed by fire....But the heavens and earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.....but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.....nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new

heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (Pet 3: 7,10,12,13) (Rev 21:1) Both Paul and Peter use the term a thief in the night (above and 1Thess 5:2) confirmation they are both referring to the same events and time period. (8:23) Not only that but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body. This verse has an important pivot point for sound doctrine. It erases the erroneous two natures teaching, Paul declares we are waiting for only one thing – the redemption of our bodies – which we have seen is either rising with Christ after we die or being changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye if we are alive at the Lords coming. The telling question regarding the two natures idea is; if we have a sin nature abiding with our new nature, when do we get rid of the sin nature? A general idea is it happens at death. Adam Clarke challenges this idea in a sermon on the subject. Quote - False idea: Christians still have a sin nature within them and will finally be rid of it at death. “Some say the body of sin in believers is, indeed an enfeebled, conquered and deposed tyrant, and the stroke of death finishes its destruction. So, then the death of Christ and the influences of the Holy Spirit were only sufficient to depose and enfeeble the tyrant sin; but our death must come in to affect his total destruction!? Thus our death is, at least partially, our Saviour!? and thus that which was an effect of sin, (for sin entered the world and death by sin) becomes the means of finally destroying it: that is the effect of a cause can become so powerful as to react upon that cause and produce its annihilation!? The divinity and philosophy of this sentiment are equally absurd. It is the blood of Christ alone that cleanses from all unrighteousness: and the sanctification of the believer is no more dependent on death than his justification. If it be said that believers do not cease from sin until they die, I have only to say they are such believers as do not make a proper use of their faith: and what can be said more of the whole herd of transgressors and infidels? They cease to sin when they cease to breathe? (my comment - the difference is we are new creatures - we die righteous and holy. If we had a sin nature we would, in some degree, die in our sins. A condition warned against by Jesus Himself. John 8:24) If the Christian religion brings no other privileges to its upright followers, well may we ask, wherein doth the wise man differ from the fool, for they both have one end! But the whole gospel teaches a different doctrine.” Unquote (See Adam Clarkes sermons online)

Only the blood of Jesus eradicates sin. The truth is Christ has made us holy and without blame before God the Father in love. (Ephes 1:4) We have the first fruits of immortal existence within ourselves. We yearn for the complete experience – the fullness of Jesus’ salvation. With Paul we wait eagerly for the change to these corrupt bodies. Our corruption will put on incorruption, our mortality will put on immortality. (8: 24,25) Paul talks of hope here, not faith, because we have most of the experience and it is just a matter of hoping for the final addition. We hope with perseverance and endurance. (8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. I have not heard this verse spoken about at all in Christian circles. Some have suggested it refers to praying in tongues. The verse itself does not lend itself to that interpretation for two reasons. We are not involved in the prayer. It is a work of the Holy Spirit alone. ....but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us...And the prayers are not uttered – spoken from the mouth....with groanings which cannot be uttered. The verse fits with Jesus explanation of the Holy Spirit as our helper. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby – Amplified Bible) to be with you forever. (John 14:16) He is given to us from the Father, who is also He who searches the hearts. If we compare the verse in Jude 1: 20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost. This is generally accepted to at least include tongues because we are involved in a union of prayer with the Holy Spirit. Did Paul have some sort of experience of this verse? We cannot tell. I have never had, nor met any Christian who had. At the least Paul must have had revelation about the Holy Spirit doing this for us. It seems to me our only choice is to accept this ministry of the Spirit by faith. As we do Jesus’ prayers for us, noted by Paul further on in this chapter.(:34) Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.(Heb 7:25) Here then we have the testimony of God’s word both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are constantly praying the Father for us. It is humbling and underscores our salvation by grace when even the strongest of us have a weakness in that we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, (even when we think we do) and it is necessary for Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be constantly interceding for us. We express our prayers in our native language, but the Holy Spirit needs to add prayer with groanings too deep

for utterance to line our requests up with the will of God. (8:27) And He who searches the hearts. The hearts not the minds. But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1Sam 16:7) When Peter preached the gospel to the Centurion Cornelius and his household, recorded in Acts ten, we are told the man had called together his relatives and close friends. Add to that the possibility of some of his servants being present also, and you have quite a large group of people. Midway through Peters sermon the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. In any large group of people usually you will have various ideas, opinions, levels of belief and doubt. It is surprising the whole group was ready to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter explains further on in Acts why it happened. So, God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us. (Acts 15:8) God saw the hearts of all in the group that they were ready to receive His Spirit. Knows what the mind of the Spirit is. The Father searches our hearts for the mind of the Spirit. Here is further testimony of the breathtaking being the Holy Spirit is. Consider how many Christians are alive on the earth, then think of the Holy Spirit interceding for all of us in our many and varied situations continually. While He is doing that, He is also managing the working of His gifts in our lives, supervising the church and working on the lost to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment to come. Have you ever thought how many church gatherings on a Sunday worldwide he is present at? And we all experience Him as giving us His full attention! (8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. To have this blessing we should be responding to God with love, and willingly submitting our lives to His purposes. ....and He (Jesus) died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2Cor 5:15) My experience is it sometimes takes some doggedness of faith to accept all things are working for my good because I have committed my life into Gods hands, and He is in control. I am sure the first Christians and the Apostles had to put some effort into believing while their goods were being plundered, and their witness produced persecution and suffering. Sometimes the good can only be

seen in hindsight, and often well after the event. Paul instructs us to be established in that certainty of faith. He is emphatic; and we know. (8:29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born of many brethren. God looked through all of time and knew beforehand which of us would choose His Son as saviour. Those He predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, (Jesus) for we shall see Him as He is. (1John 3:2) A great honour, a privilege, the greatest blessing, to be like Him! Speaking for myself; after a lifetime of experiencing me, I am well and truly ready to accept the offer of being like Him. And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence. (Col 1:18)...and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. (Rev1:5) Jesus said to her, (Mary) ’Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ (John 20:17) We are a part of a fraternity of brothers, each of us have been born from the dead. (8:30) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these He also glorified. If ever there was a narrative confirming we are saved by grace (undeserved favour) alone, this is it. The initiative is all God’s. We were unable even to seek Him. Any move towards God by any person has at its beginning God’s incitement. Called means to summon, to invite. Adam Clarke: He invited by the preaching of the Gospel, to believe on His Son Jesus Christ. Justified. It is an old truism but still very valid. ‘Just as if I had never sinned.’ So complete is Christs atonement. These He also glorified. (2Cor 4:6) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The word knowledge here, and in most of the New Testament, means to have the experience of. When

Moses asked ‘that I might know thee’ he was saying I want to experience you. (Ex 33:13) When Paul declared his intention ‘that I may know Him’ he was after the experience of God. (Phil 3:10) True Christian living is the experience of God in the life. This was highlighted to me recently as I read from a biography of Charles Darwin. Discussing a career as a Clergyman with a friend who was a Clergyman, he mentioned the examination required answering the question ‘Do you have the experience of the activity of the Holy Spirit in your inner being?’ ‘Do you have that experience?’ he asked his friend. When his friend the Clergyman answered ‘no’, Darwin said ‘neither do I, and that is why I could never become a man of the cloth.’ For much of his life Darwin considered himself a Christian, and he was careful to maintain a high moral standard in his living. During the voyage of the Beagle he was often derided by the crew for his refusal to in the more overt forms of sin. Lacking that experience of God within, he moved further and further away from whatever vestiges of Christianity he had, as he grew older. Hence Jesus’ instruction of Nicodemus, a religious man without the experience of God within, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:7) We have the knowledge of the glory of God. The experience of the glory of God. Through Jesus, the Father has glorified us. Do not let your earthly body obscure the truth of your glorification. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us,(2Cor 4:7) (8:31) What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?(New Living translation) Is anyone or anything more powerful than God our Father? Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.” (Math 19:26) That is where our faith should be. Believing in the God of all things possible. Jesus modelled that faith for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He prayed, “Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36) Jesus’ answer to Pontius Pilate has the same knowledge – God is in complete control. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know I have power to crucify you, and power to release you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against me unless it had been given you from above...’(John 19:10,11) We have what I suppose could be called paradox in these verses by Paul. He has reminded us if God is for us who can be against us. Then he goes on to list the

experiences that could possibly come our way - tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, for your sake we are killed all the day long, we are ed as sheep for the slaughter.(:35,36) How are we to understand what appears to be contradiction? For me it comes under what I like to think of as the mystery of suffering. Many of the experiences on the above list happened to Paul. His stoning for example. Based on what Jesus said, God could have kept him from them. He did not. He allowed them to happen. The mystery of suffering stands out to me in Jesus’ response to Ananias’ question regarding Paul’s persecution of the Christians. “Go for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My names sake.” (Acts 9:15,16) The mystery for me is in Jesus’ use of the word must. Why ‘must’ Paul suffer? As we have seen, Paul accepted his trials as a part of the routine Christian life. I have heard it said Paul’s sufferings were a legal payback for the hardships he inflicted upon Christians. If that were the case, why would Paul be any different from the rest of us? God is no respecter of persons. We would all be getting just deserts for our wrongs. Jesus’ atonement for Paul and you and I, puts us in a position of ‘just as if I had never sinned’. I wrote an article for FaithFilledFamily.com magazine on this topic. The following is part of the article. Quote: The ‘more than conquerors’ statement of Romans 8:37 is often used out of context by those of us who live in the more peaceful areas of World. It is easy to sidestep the two previous verses in this chapter by Paul. “Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword”? “As it is written; For your sake, we are killed all the day long: we are ed as sheep for the slaughter”. (Romans 8:35,36) Then we get the proper context. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us”. This week I received the monthly newsletter of the ‘Every Home for Christ Ministry’. They have a section called the voice of persecuted Christians report. Here is some of this month’s report on India; ‘Attacks against Christians have been rising at an alarming rate, according to news reports. They describe an upswing in politically motivated attacks since the March 2017 elections which saw a landslide victory for Hindu nationalists. The latest report of the All India Council records an increase of almost 20% in attacks against Christians in 2016. It says physical violence against Christians is up nearly 40% and murders have

doubled in states across India. Church workers have been beaten, threatened and killed. Attempts have been made to force Christians to renounce their faith and convert to Hinduism. Church services and prayer meetings have been disrupted, Churches and Christian schools have been bombed, torched, vandalised and demolished. Bibles have been torn to pieces and burnt’. It continues with more graphic s. I thought as I read that, how much more meaningful Paul’s words would be to those Christians than to me in my present circumstances. Paul is describing his own experience and the experience of some of his fellow Christians. From a purely human point of view, what he says is nonsensical. When was the last time you read in the newspapers of people suffering famine, persecution, earthquakes, violence, and the like, and the report said they were great victors amid those events? In our human thinking the two do not fit together. Having the experience of the Indian Christian’s and being not just conquerors, but more than conquerors, amid it all. It is a mindset that is foreign to ordinary human thinking, yet the New Testament reveals the first Christians accepted these hardships as basic to the Christian life, Being more than a conqueror is a very personal thing between you and Jesus. The report on persecution in India gives the overall record on what is happening. Were we able to talk with the Christians going through those things, we would hear many stories of Christ’s and intervention in their trials. In a way, the New Testament gives a general report on Christian living. A new personal story happens in each of our lives. The blessing of Christianity is that it is not a set of religious rules we all follow, but a very personal relationship with God, who can have an individual relationship with every one of us. The Lord has chosen that Paul shares his personal experience with Jesus, as a guide for us as we live our own story with Jesus. During the time of the Jesus people movement there was a song entitled; ‘Me and Jesus, we’ve got our own thing going’. That is the message we hear from Paul whenever he writes about his life. It is good to also that the apostle is not giving us academic theory. This man was stoned by a faction of the Jews, then dragged out of the city and left to die. The Christians gathered around him and prayed. He stood up and walked back into the city. The next day he left the city to continue travelling and preaching the Gospel. (Acts 14:19,20) How could that possibly happen? In the Lords strength, power and might. I often think about 2 Corinthians 4:17 where Paul describes his hardships as “Our light affliction”. Unquote

When we talk of suffering, we should not fail to remind ourselves the Christian life is a supernatural life. It must be lived in the grace and power of God. Paul could never have survived his tribulations, and refer to them as our light affliction, without the grace, power and strength of God. He counsels us, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. (Ephes 6:10) I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Philippians 4:13). (Psalm 73:26) My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. We must learn as soon as possible to transfer our living to the strength and power of God. Paul lived his entire Christian life that way. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1Corinthians 15:10 ) I hearing of a man who had been imprisoned in solitary confinement for many years for his Christian witness. When asked how he was able to endure it he replied. “You do not know what you are able to endure in God’s strength, until you are placed in a situation where you need it”. Recently I was lamenting to the Lord about a tough time I was going through. I was talking to Him about it on a human level. He replied, “It is different when you have got God.” When He said that I realised again the enormous difference there is in ordinary human life, and the life with God. It is as different as the distance to my letterbox and the distance to the planet Jupiter. Each of us should have a story nobody else knows about. It may be revealed in heaven. A hidden life within us that is manifested outwardly in whatever way God wills it. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the almighty. (Psalm 91:1) For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3) (8:32) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Paul made a similar statement to Timothy. Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. (1Tim 6:17) Notice Paul did not tell the rich to divest themselves of all their money. They could serve God and be rich if it harmonised with God’s individual plan for them. (3John 1:2) Beloved, I pray

you to prosper concerning all things and to be in good health, just as your soul prospers. Prosper in this prayer of John’s can be translated business success. Here is more scriptural confirmation God wants us prosperous and healthy. Our souls are prosperous because of our salvation, and we should be healthy and materially prosperous through Christ as well. If I have the full supply of all my needs so that I am also able to give, I am prosperous. God desires me to be prosperous. The Bible goes further, declaring He wants us rich. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. And toil does not increase it. Prov 10:22. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9. In both of those verses the word rich means abounding in wealth. When you think about it, we are kings and priests to our God. Rev 1:6. As sons and daughters of God, holy and blameless before Him. His beloved. Are we not the most likely candidates on Earth to be rich? I was established in this truth by listening to Prophet Uebert Angel. He and his wife are multi – millionaires who during the 2020 virus crisis have been able to spend millions supplying food to the poor in many Countries. A large percentage of recipients have been non-Christian people, making the provision a huge witness for Christ. Responsibility comes with prosperity and wealth. The secret to maintaining my prosperity is found in the following verse. (1John 3:17) But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of comion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? Giving, submitted to God’s guidance, is the path to established prosperity. Giving and aggressive faith in the promises we have. Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 (8:33) Who can bring a railing accusation against us? God, the highest Judge, has acquitted us. (8:34) Condemn here means to count worthy of punishment. Paul says Jesus was punished in my place. I am free of condemnation. The one who took my punishment is now at the right hand of the Father, constantly praying for me. Influencer marketing is a marketing strategy popular on the Internet, where a celebrity publicly endorses a product. As a saved person I have the celebrity of celebrities continually recommending me to the Highest Authority.

(8:35 – 39) Paul’s message in these verses is simple but explosive. God is on our side. Though our flesh shudders at some of the words on his list, we should accept his assurance that in all these things we will be more than conquerors through Him who loves us. We have the assurance; The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1Cor 10:13) We can adopt Paul’s attitude, take on his faith, and be convinced nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who open’s and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens’. (Rev 3:7) The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’ (Deut 33:27)

PROTECTION FROM DEADLY DISEASE

PSALM 91. This book was written in 2020, the year of the international virus outbreak. As the epidemic began to gain momentum, word spread among Christians – time for faith in Psalm 91. The clearest translation and the easiest by which to apply faith, seemed to me to be the Living Bible translation. I have placed it below in full and will make comment afterwards. Psalm 91:Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands, so you will not even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honour them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” This Psalm is one big promise. Like all Bible promises it is conditional. I wrote a short eBook about the virus situation – (The Sound of the Horsemen – what do the events of 2020 tell us – available at all online retailers for 99c) The research I did for the Horsemen eBook opened my eyes to the importance of this Psalm. Here, from the book, are the facts my research uncovered. Quote: “And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not

troubled for all these things must come to . But the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows.” (Mathew 24: 5-8) Jesus started Mathew chapter 24 by telling His disciples of the coming destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. His prediction was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans overran Jerusalem destroying the city and the temple in the war against the Jewish rebel Zealots, who had formed a Government in opposition to the Roman occupation. History provides ample evidence of wars, nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom from the time of Christ to our present day. Of famines, pestilences (outbreaks of severe rapidly spreading disease) and earthquakes there have been many. Ten percent of the population of the Roman Empire perished during the Antonine plague, probably smallpox, which swept through the four points of the com in A.D.165-180. In 1852 John Radcliffe of the Leeds School of Medicine wrote a book recording pestilences, famines and earthquakes in the British Isles from earliest times. Here is a brief list from the book. England A.D. 61 severe famine – A.D. 88 pestilence - A.D. 110 severe earthquake – A.D. 133 a great drought – A.D. 211 pestilence and earthquake – A.D. 293 famine and pestilence – A.D. 325 severe famine and pestilence – A.D. 336,355,358,362,367,368,375 – disease, famine and earthquake. Scotland A.D. 92 pestilence – A.D. 146 pestilence – A.D. 222 pestilence. Wales A.D. 114 pestilence – A.D. 310 pestilence – A.D. 336 – 375 pestilence, famine, earthquake. Italy A.D.174 a great pestilence. In the fifth century rapidly spreading outbreaks of disease prevailed across Asia, Africa, Europe, England and Scotland. Multiplied thousands perished in these devastations. Many books would be filled in recording the global incidences of these sorrows through history to the present day. The Irish potato famine 1845 – 1849, the great bubonic plague of London, and the 1918 flu epidemic which killed 20 million worldwide, are three most of us are aware of. In the latter part of history we have had to deal with Anthrax, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow fever, Scarlet fever, Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, West Nile virus, Syphilis, Smallpox, Rabies, Rubella, Hepatitis, Mumps, Viral Meningitis, Measles, Herpes, Legionnaires Disease, Dengue fever, Botulism, Polio, and many more. It is reported some of the old infections are re-emerging through laxness or mutation. Re-emerging diseases include Malaria, Tuberculosis, Cholera,

Pertussis (whooping cough), Influenza, Pneumococcal disease, Gonorrhoea and Polio. Although we know many of histories devastating diseases were the result of ignorance regarding sanitation, personal hygiene and accurate medical knowledge, we should not let those facts obscure a deeper problem. In a word viruses. All epidemics of serious disease past and present were/are the manifestation of virus infection. Viruses are an entrenched unchanging menace to life on earth. Following are quotes from scientific sources that give an overview of what is known of viruses About Viruses: Quote The evolutionary history of viruses represents a fascinating, albeit murky, topic for virologists and cell biologists. Because of the great diversity among viruses, biologists have struggled with how to classify these entities and how to relate them to the conventional tree of life. They may represent genetic elements that gained the ability to move between cells. They may represent previously freeliving organisms that became parasites. They may be the precursors of life as we know it. (David R Wessner PHD) Where Did Viruses Come From? There is much debate among virologists about this question. Three main hypotheses have been articulated: 1. The progressive, or escape hypothesis states that viruses arose from genetic elements that gained the ability to move between cells; 2. the regressive, or reduction hypothesis asserts that viruses are remnants of cellular organisms; and 3. the virus-first hypothesis states that viruses predate or coevolved with their current cellular hosts. (David R Wessner PHD) To date, no clear explanation for the origin(s) of viruses exists. Viruses may have arisen from mobile genetic elements that gained the ability to move between cells. They may be descendants of previously free-living organisms that adapted a parasitic replication strategy. Perhaps viruses existed before, and led to the evolution of, cellular life. Continuing studies may provide us with clearer answers. Or future studies may reveal that the answer is even murkier than it now appears. (David R Wessner PHD) These studies have shown us that viruses do not have a single origin; that is, they did not all arise from one single virus that changed and evolved into all the

viruses we know today. Viruses probably have a number of independent origins, almost certainly at different times. (theconversation.com May 29, 2018) This year’s virus (2020) - so what do we think happened in the case of SARSCoV-2? Recent analysis of the genome suggest that the virus had been circulating in a similar form to today for approximately 40 years. The closest relative of the virus that we can identify is one found in bats. However, this virus and SARS-CoV-2 probably shared a common ancestor approximately 40-70 years ago, and so this bat virus is not the cause of the outbreak. Although these viruses share a common ancestor, 40 years of evolution since then has separated them. This means that SARS-CoV-2 may have jumped to humans from bats, or it may have come via an intermediate species. Closely related viruses have been found in pangolins, for example. But the exact path of the genetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 will remain a mystery until we are able to find closer relative species in the environment It is also unclear what changed in the virus to allow it to infect humans so easily. However, given that three major diseases have emerged from this virus family in the last 20 years – SARS, MERS and the present problem – it is likely that this will not be the last time this set of viruses jumps into humans and causes a new disease outbreak. (Naomi Forrester-Soto theconversation.com) Viruses infiltrate every aspect of our natural world, seething in seawater, drifting through the atmosphere, and lurking in miniscule motes of soil. Generally considered non-living entities, these pathogens can only replicate with the help of a host, and they are capable of hijacking organisms from every branch of the tree of life—including a multitude of human cells. Yet, most of the time, our species manages to live in this virus-filled world relatively free of illness. The reason has less to do with the human body’s resilience to disease than the biological quirks of viruses themselves, says Sara Sawyer, a virologist and disease ecologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. These pathogens are extraordinarily picky about the cells they infect, and only an infinitesimally small fraction of the viruses that surround us (about 200) actually pose any threat to humans. Still, as the present epidemic clearly demonstrates, outbreaks of new human viruses do happen—and they are not as unexpected as they might seem.

To better forecast and prevent outbreaks, scientists are homing in on the traits that may explain why some viruses, and not others, can make the hop into humans. Some mutate more frequently, perhaps easing their spread into new hosts, while others are helped along by human encounters with animals that provide opportunities to jump species. (Katherine J Wu National Geographic April 15, 2020) What is the difficulty in creating a virus vaccine? To begin with, viruses mutate very quickly. Made up of ribonucleic acid (RNA), as this genetic material exists on a single strand, unlike a double-stranded DNA, it easily gets cut up and remixed once broken. This enables viruses to mutate quickly, meaning that any cures or vaccines made for a specific RNA may quickly become obsolete Although vaccines have worked well in thwarting certain versions of viruses the recurrence of polio in some countries thanks to a new mutated version immune to previous vaccines is a good example of how difficult it is to thwart viruses even once a vaccine has been made. More than this, vaccines generally take many years to reach the market as they must go through six developmental steps including a three-phase clinical development stage. This means that, by the time an effective vaccine has been developed and approved as safe-to-use, the emergency may have blown over. Alternatively, if urgency declines to develop a vaccine as infection rates diminish thanks to other factors, research on the vaccine is likely to stall and become neglected, as what happened with the SARS vaccine. (Annie Lennon Labroots.com Feb 21, 2020) Viruses do not, however, carry out metabolic processes. Most notably, viruses differ from living organisms in that they cannot generate ATP. They do not possess ribosomes and cannot independently form proteins from molecules of messenger RNA. Because of these limitations, viruses can replicate only within a living host cell. Therefore, viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. According to a stringent definition of life, they are nonliving. (David R Wessner PHD) Though it is far from proven, virologists and others are beginning to suspect viruses may be involved in such ailments as rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, cancer and heart disease. Viruses are predators and parasites from beyond the normal processes of life. They present a mystery and a major hazard. They are

hard to track, replicate themselves quickly, mutate into newer versions of the original, and demand constant vigilance on the part of science to keep pace with the threat they pose. Unquote Here are some statistics of the devastation caused by just one outbreak of infectious disease – the Plague. The Black Death (The Plague) was a global outbreak of bubonic plague that originated in China in 1334, arrived in Europe in 1347, following the Silk Road. Within 50 years of its reign, by 1400, it reduced the global population from 450 million to below 350 million, possibly below 300 million, with the pandemic killing as many as 150 million. Some estimates claim that the Black Death claimed up to 60% of lives in Europe at that time. Starting in China, it spread through central Asia and northern India following the established trading route known as the Silk Road. The plague reached Europe in Sicily in 1347. Within 5 years, it had spread to the virtually entire continent, moving onto Russia and the Middle East. In its first wave, it claimed 25 million lives (Psychiatry of Pandemics. 2019 May 16 - Published online 2019 May 16. Guest Editor - Damir Huremović - North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY USA) My intention here is not to indulge in negativity, but to give some impression of the vast devastation to humanity viral disease has caused. The above statistics do not begin to record the innumerable disease outbreaks in all nations in all of history. These statistics spotlight the monumental importance of the promises of Psalm 91, and the imperative of our having active faith in those promises. (:1) The condition for the promises comes first. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Another translation says: As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king. The secret place of the Most High speaks of a close relationship with God. The secret place is the spirit of a Christian where God triune dwells. Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. (John 14:23) It requires a decision. A determination of the will. (:9) Because you have made

the Lord who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. (:14) Because he has set his love upon me. All the promises of the Psalm are activated when I set my love upon God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I make Him the place from which all my living flows. (:2) He speaks out his faith. I will say of the Lord... (Romans 10:9,10) that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him out from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (:3) After that it is a sure thing. He will surely deliver you from the hunter's snare and from the destructive plague. (:4) This Psalm is God’s truth. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Jesus used the same metaphor in the New Testament Gospels. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Luke 13:34 We could compare Jerusalem’s situation with Psalm 91. I mentioned earlier Jesus’ prediction of Mathew 24:1-2 of the destruction of the temple. Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 70 A.D. saw the destruction of, not only the temple, but of the city also. It was a terrible time for Jerusalem’s remaining inhabitants. Not only from the Roman siege from the outside but also from the Jewish factions within. The Zealot factions killed any Jew attempting to flee the city, and there were other senseless killings. Chicks are defenceless in the world, relying completely on the protection of the mother hen. Jesus referred to Himself with the metaphor of the mother hen. A metaphor of God’s protection also used in Psalm 91:4. The people who had not become Christians unfortunately discovered just how defenceless they were when the Jerusalem siege started. The ungodly are deceived into complacency. No doubt the 2020 world virus epidemic has shaken many people out of that complacency. It is a perilous thing to live without God in the world. The devil deceives the ungodly into misplaced confidence, while the reality is, they are as defenceless as chicks. The formidable list of mankind’s assailants in Psalm 91

reveals just how dangerous the world is. Ancient historians attest to the fact the Christians of that time were alerted to the coming trouble and were able to escape. Eusebius, Church History 3, 5, 3 From there it took its beginning after the exodus from Jerusalem when all the disciples went to live in Pella because Christ had told them to leave Jerusalem and to go away since it would undergo a siege. Because of this advice they lived in Perea after having moved to that place. Epiphanius, Panarion 29,7,7-8 For after all those who believed in Christ had generally come to live in Perea, in a city called Pella of the Decapolis of which it is written in the Gospel that it is situated in the neighbourhood of the region of Batanaea and Basanit Epiphanius, Panarion 30, 2, 7 So, Aquila, while he was in Jerusalem, also saw the disciples of the disciples of the apostles flourishing in the faith and working great signs, healings, and other miracles. For they were such as had come back from the city of Pella to Jerusalem and were living there and teaching. For when the city was about to be taken and destroyed by the Romans, it was revealed in advance to all the disciples by an angel of God that they should remove from the city, as it was going to be completely destroyed. They sojourned as emigrants in Pella, the city above mentioned in Transjordania. And this city is said to be of the Decapolis. (Christianhistoryinstitute.org) Josephus, our major source for all this information, does not name a single Christian victim in connection with great Jewish War. The people of the Church in Jerusalem were commanded by an oracle given by revelation before the war to those in the city who were worthy of it to depart and dwell in one of the cities of Perea which they called Pella. To it those who believed on Christ travelled from Jerusalem. (:5) You shall not be afraid. I believe this is two-fold. By God’s grace we will not be afraid, and we must make the decision not to be afraid. (5 - 6) A supernatural cause behind destructions is revealed in this Psalm. Some

of the devastations are personified. The snare of the fowler – the arrow that flies by day ( a person or being must shoot the arrow) the pestilence that walks in darkness. Many Christian testimonies exist of the revelation spiritual evil lies behind sickness and destruction. I hearing William Branham say, with God’s discernment, he could hear spirits of cancer calling to each other for help, before being cast out in his meetings. Medical science can see the physical manifestation of the cancer but not the true cause. Missionary to Africa in the early 1900’s, John G Lake, was taught the truth of this. Here is his testimony from a sermon. “I was in Pretoria, South Africa, visiting with a friend and trying to keep out of the hot sun, to meditate and pray; and as I meditated and prayed, I seemed to be lifted up in the Spirit until I was a mile or more above the city and could see the city like you would from an airplane. When I got up there, I made a discovery. There were spirits of darkness and myriads of spirits of light in the most awful conflict I ever saw. Naturally, you think of a weapon when you see a fight. I thought, “If only I had a weapon I would get into that fight.” Presently, the Spirit of God got hold of me and when these demons came at me from all sides, I waded into them and began to knock them down. It continued until I had knocked so many down, I had to climb over them to get at the rest. When the vision lifted, I prayed, “Dear Lord, what does it mean?” And the Spirit of the Lord said to me, “This contest that you have seen in the upper air will exist among your own people in six months. This lesson is to teach you that there is a dominion in Jesus Christ, and ‘greater is He that is in you, that he that is in the world.’ (Spiritual dominion – John G Lake) Lakes testimony of protection from disease is a great example of Psalm 91 in action. John G. Lake Writings - Letter to the Editor, The Sun – San Diego I not only believe in healing of disease but believe that, through faith in God, we can be tendered virtually immune from disease and contagion. In 1912, an epidemic of smallpox ran riot among the isolated Matabele natives; tens of thousands died. We were six hundred miles from civilization. Natives in this district wear no clothes. Imagine trying to lift a big, helpless native from a mat on the hut floor when his naked body is covered with eruptions that would burst

under your hands and by the pressure on your body as you carried him about. Do it all day, and imagine the state of your clothes by night, when your overalls and jumper would be soaked through with smallpox pus. Then, having no change of clothes, you went to the nearest creek and washed them out as best you could and walked about in your birth clothes till they dried; then next day you did it over. I have lived with and prayed for thousands of African lepers and, in all my African experience, never contracted disease or carried contagion to my family. It is because of such experiences as the above that I say I do not come to the people of San Diego with untried theories, but out of the strenuous past draw the lessons of faith in God that make life to him who has [been] hidden in Christ glorious and give to the soul of man the divine mastery During that great plague that I mentioned, they sent a government ship with supplies and corps of doctors. One of the doctors sent for me, and said, “What have you been using to protect yourself? Our corps has this preventative and that, which we use as protection, but we concluded that if a man could stay on the ground as you have and keep ministering to the sick and burying the dead, you must have a secret, What is it?” I answered, “Brother that is the ‘law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in with the living God so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.” He asked, “Don’t youthink that you had better use our preventatives?” I replied, “No, but doctor I think that you would like to experiment with me. If you will go over to one of these dead people and take the foam that comes out of their lungs after death, then put it under the microscope you will see masses of living germs. You will find they are alive until a reasonable time after a man is dead. You can fill my hand with them, and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.” They tried it and found it was true. They questioned, “What is that?” I replied, “That is ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.: When a man’s spirit and a man’s body are filled with the blessed presence of God, it oozes out of the pores of your flesh and kills the germs. Suppose on the other hand, my soul had been under the law of death, and I were in fear and darkness? The very opposite would have been the result. The result would have been that my body would have absorbed the germs, these would

have generated disease and I would have died. John G Lakes advice - You who are sick, put yourself in with God’s law of life. Read His Word with the view of enlightening your heart so that you will be able to look up with more confidence and believe Him. Pray that the Spirit of God will come into your soul, take possession of your body, and its power will make you well. That is the exercise of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. (Book – John G Lake – Adventures in God) (:7- 8) Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the reward of the wicked. I used to think this verse probably described a battle scene, though I wondered when I would ever be in such a battle. If taken in the context of the whole Psalm it is a description of what happens in a serious viral epidemic. Even in the events of 2020 there have been countries where ten thousand and more have been struck down by the virus. In some of the previous epidemics such as the Black Plague of London, multitudes numbering well beyond ten thousand were suddenly felled as people around them watched. To be present in such a scene is a time for faith and rejection of fear. Notice the entire list of ruination in this Psalm is placed under one heading – the reward of the wicked. The snare of the fowler, perilous pestilence, terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, the pestilence that walks in darkness, the destruction that lays waste at noonday, plagues - are all the reward of the wicked. It is important Christians are clear on this fact. These calamitous events come from, and belong to, the world of sin and the ungodly. Jesus - This is My command to you: Love one another. If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. (John 15:17-19) Part of Jesus’ prayer for His Church - They do not belong to this world any more than I do.(John 17:16) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.(1Cor 2:12) What is the Christians reward? But now that you have been set free from the tyranny of sin, and have become the bondservants of God, you have your reward

in being made holy, and you have the Life of the Ages (Eternal Life) as the final result. (Rom 6:22) After these things, the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward." (Gen 15:1) (:9) For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. We are returned to the condition for the promises again here. A reminder of the foundation on which the Psalm is built. Because we make the Lord our refuge – place of safety, and dwelling place – where all our living springs from. Because is a causal connection. Meaning if the first requirement is fulfilled, the promise is sure to happen. Jesus used this language about living together as a description of the life that pleases Him. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me, (Rev 3:20) This intimacy is expressed in a deeper way in Colossians 3:4. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (:10 – 13) No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands, so you will not even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! In case we had not fully appreciated the message, we get some repetition. No evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home, Not only ourselves, but our homes. His angels will be told to protect us, Lions, cobras and serpents (symbols of spiritual evil) will not be a problem. (:14 -16) The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honour them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Now we receive the Lords personal guarantee on top of the fact we are reading from His Word. All that is needed is to love Him and trust Him. Added to the previous promises are answered prayer, He will be with us in the inevitable trouble that comes with living in the World, we will be rescued, honoured and given a long life with eternal salvation at the end. As I was near to finishing this book, I heard a message by Bishop Clarence McClendon of the Grace Place Church, Inglewood, California, USA. He was

speaking about the 2021 international virus situation, using the in Exodus where God sends Moses to ask Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. When speaking to Moses, God calls the troubles He is about to inflict on the Egyptians, wonders. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, Ex 7:3. Speaking to Pharaoh through Moses He calls them plagues. But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go, then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field - on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. Ex 9:3. God says, “I will make a difference between My people and your people...”.Ex 8:23. This harmonises perfectly with what has been said about Psalm 91. For the people of God, the plagues reveal the wonder of God’s protection. But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.” Ex 9:4.9 Both parties receive a revelation of God, one of His protection, the other of his wrath. Bishop McClendon preached wherever people determine to live as if God does not exist, the inevitable result is plague problems. He added that God desires many experiencing the wrath to be awakened to their mistake and turn to Him. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pet 3:9. The final victory and deliverance for the Israelites is through the blood of the over lamb – Exodus 12. A type of the atonement of Jesus by which any person can escape from sin and become one of the people of God, and under His protection.

A PURE HEART FOR THE GENTILES

ACTS 10. The chapter begins with God taking the initiative. In this chapter the next big movement of God’s dealings with man is about to begin, and as it has been from the beginning, God finds a man. This is grace. After Adam and Eve’s disobedience God provided them with a covering for their nakedness. When the Lord desired to bless all the generations of man He spoke to Abraham. When the flood was about to obliterate humanity from the earth, God found Noah and enabled a small remnant to survive. When the time came for the children of Israel to be delivered from Egypt, God revealed Himself to Moses. And so it goes on through the Bible. Joseph, King David, Samuel, The Prophets. For the revelation of the last days, - Daniel. In the New Testament, John the Baptist. Jesus finds twelve men to be His disciples and calls them to Himself. Now the time has arrived for the non-Jewish races to be offered the Gospel, and God once again finds Himself man. (:1 – 3) At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. He and all his household were devout and Godfearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius is a centurion in the Italian Regiment or ‘cohort.’ A centurion was a non-commissioned officer who had worked his way up through the ranks to take command of a group of soldiers within a Roman legion. (A comparable rank in the American military would be captain, and in the British army, a company Sergeant-Major.) When a cohort was at full strength, a centurion was in command of 100 men. https://learn.gcs.edu/ The Jewish historian Josephus records persistent conflict between the Romans and the Jews at this time. Constant insurrection by the Jews always meant an armed response from the Romans. Many were killed on both sides. It is remarkable that Cornelius, who, as a Roman officer, would have been in the thick of these encounters, had a comionate attitude to the Jews, and in an environment of many pagan god’s, idols, and temples, also recognized their God as the true God. (: 4) Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. The original language presents a picture of Cornelius’ prayer and

giving as arising before God’s face, constantly reminding Him of the Centurion. (: 5 – 6) The angel did not explain the Gospel to Cornelius. Angels are not permitted to do so. The angel’s mission was to tell Cornelius where to find the man who would preach the Gospel to him. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do. Apostle Paul said the message of reconciliation of man to God through the Lord Jesus, is entrusted to men. And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 2Cor 5:18 An angel may go as far as telling you how to preach the Gospel, but you will have to do the preaching. Charles and Francis Hunter had that experience. While at a restaurant with friends, a man approached their table, sat down, and began to give Francis a simple formula for preaching the Gospel. It was only afterwards they realized the man was an angel. They immediately put the formula into practise, and it worked. Many people were saved. Their small book entitled ‘There are two kinds of ’ explains the angel’s teaching. They were to say to people they encountered anywhere “There are two kinds of (waitress, shop assistant etc) those who are saved, and those who are about to be saved, which one are you”? The small book with the full formula, can be purchased online at joanhunter.org and other sites. You might like to try it. We are told Cornelius, was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Here is another unusual thing. These were perilous, rough and ready times. No equivalent to today’s Police force existed. Power over the people was exercised by whoever had the most fighting men and weapons. Yet we find here a complete household who feared God. That would have included Cornelius’ family and all his servants. No wonder God’s attention was drawn to the house. (:9 – 16) The Jewish Christians struggled with forsaking the mindset and way of life practised during the 1445 years since Moses had given the law. Ten years after Peter’s meeting with Cornelius, it was still a big enough issue to require a grand council of the Apostles and Elders to convene in Jerusalem, to discuss whether circumcision was necessary for salvation – Acts 15. Our verses in this chapter reveal Peter needed more help on the issue. The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up

on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “ I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter was being directed to violate the instruction of Leviticus chapter eleven. Which begins with, The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, telling them, “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat... and ends with, This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.” If ever there was a clear indication the law of Moses was finished, this is it. Peter answered“ I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. Peter’s reluctance is understandable. It meant doing something he had not once done in his entire life. It was not the first time Peter had been exposed to this truth. With the other disciples he had seen Jesus minister to many Gentiles. John chapter 4:1- 43 is an example. The Jews regarded the Samaritans as unclean. In this chapter Jesus teaches salvation to the woman, with the result she, and many other Samaritans accepted Him as Messiah. The Lord also stayed with them two days (:40) which meant the twelve were obliged to do the same. Another example is Christ’s healing of a Centurions servant. Mathew 8: 5 -12. When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a Centurion came and pleaded with Him, “Lord, my servant lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.” And Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The soldier was a gentile Roman. At this time, the Lord made a clear statement indicating salvation for all races. Jesus replied, “Assuredly I say to you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Peter was at Christ’s side through all these events. Centuries of ingrained thinking and practise required the lesson to be repeated many times. Not only to

Peter but to all the Jewish believers. When the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius’ household, All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. Peters actions after the vision indicate the truth had finally hit home. After Peter had heard the message from Cornelius’ servants, So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. He asked the Gentiles into his house. A few verses on Peter states what the normal Jewish response would have been. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. Peter has stepped into the full truth of the Gospel. (:24 – 27) The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. A humble man indeed. (:30) So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. The Centurion had been in some earnest seeking of God which included fasting. Impressive for a person who was not yet born again. (:34 – 35) Cornelius’ relating of how the angel appeared and spoke to him is further confirmation to Peter that the Gentiles are included in the blessings of the Gospel. This must have established the fact permanently in Peters mind. Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favouritism but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. The Jews knew they were God’s favourites – His chosen people. Peters words show he has grasped the new reality. (:36) Knowing what is important, Peter wastes no time and moves straight to the Gospel. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ. Jesus confirmed Peter’s statement, “You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews.” John 4:22 The Apostle Paul echoed the truth, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile”. Rom 1:16

(:37) ...that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached. Why was Peter there if they had heard the word? I think the answer is Peter’s listeners had a general knowledge of what had been preached and knew of the events of Christ’s time on Earth. Firstly, they would have assumed it was a Jewish thing. Secondly, there is a vast difference between having a general knowledge about the Gospel and having an angel appear and direct you to a preacher who is anointed and empowered. No doubt many who were saved under Spurgeon’s sermons, also had a general knowledge of Christianity. The same probably applied to Billy Graham’s converts. The Holy Spirit uses an anointed preacher to make conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come, personal. (:38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. A lot of information is in this verse if we look at it carefully. We see that Jesus ministry while on Earth was a ministry of the trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus anointed with the Holy Ghost...for God was with Him. All sickness is an oppression of the devil. Healing and curing all those oppressed by the devil. Jesus healed all that came to Him for healing. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. Math 8:16. I have always wondered why Peter made a division between the Holy Spirit and power here. It does not seem to be significant because the Lord Jesus ed the two in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you...” Peter also s the two by saying they are both a product of the anointing. (:39 – 43) Peter now gives us an example of the preaching of the Gospel. It has some content we do not usually include in our preaching today. But it is in complete harmony with Pauls description of the Gospel. For what I received I ed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 1Cor 15:3-5 Have you identified the content we often leave out in our preaching? It is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Approximately one half of both Peter and Paul’s discourse here, is the truth of the resurrection. Think back to your soul winning endeavours – do you always include Christ’s raising from the dead in your

presentation? The resurrection of Christ is important because it proved Jesus was the sinless Son of God, and therefore able to stand in for sinners. Jesus Christ...who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 1:4 Part of our faith for salvation is belief in Jesus’ resurrection. ...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9 ( If you would like to read more about the importance of Christ’s resurrection, my eBook ‘Reality of the Resurrection’ is available for 99c at all online retailers.) Three times Peter uses the term witness – meaning a Judicial witness. "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross.” ...not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ...To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. This is in accord with the Lords instruction. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (:44) Peter does not get to finish his sermon. As soon as he touches on the main issue – remission of sins in Jesus name - God interrupts him. It is as if God can hardly wait for this new movement of the Gospel to begin. The Lord had promised Abraham, ... and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed Gen 26:4 Now it begins. Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. (:45 – 46) Since the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts two, the early Church accepted tongues as the outward sign of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers. Cornelius’ household were all born again and baptised in the Holy Spirit at this time. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Cornelius and his household received another blessing at this time which is not recorded here. In fact, within the confines of the book of Acts, we must go ten years into the future to Acts 15, to discover what that blessing was. In that chapter converts among the Pharisees and some others had been teaching and

proclaiming the necessity of circumcision and keeping the Mosaic law be added to the Gospel for salvation. A meeting is convened in Jerusalem by the Apostles and Elders with Barnabas and Paul in attendance, to discuss the matter. After much debate Peter brings an end to the discussions by describing how the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius and his household, which makes it obvious keeping the law is no longer necessary for salvation. After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:7-11. Did you notice that extra piece of information Peter added about the event at Cornelius’ house ? When the Holy Spirit came upon these Gentiles their hearts were purified. Peter adds something else we did not know. In the upper room on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the 120 believers also received purity of heart. God showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Peter says Cornelius and his household were given the same experience as we received in the upper room. We received a pure heart and so did they. Though it is easy to miss this in the book of Acts, the rest of the New Testament has a lot to say about the gift of purity of heart. It is an essential part of the Gospel and very necessary for a successful Christian life. A large part of Christendom since the early church, has missed this clear teaching. It is evident purity of heart was accepted as normal Christianity by the fact nobody at this meeting disagreed with Peter’s statement. For the first Christians purity of heart was part and parcel of God’s blessings to us in the Gospel. Why is there no mention of the pure heart experience in Acts 2 or Acts 10 ? My opinion: those events were at the beginning of the spread of the Gospel. To get the Gospel underway the emphasis was on power. Indeed, the Lord Himself had directed the disciple’s thoughts to power at this time. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 The emphasis was on power to blast people out of the world and into the body of Christ. The goal was quantity. Thousands added to the Church. I think after 10 years had gone by at Acts 15, the Apostles attention had been turned to the need for quality. The Christians living righteous lives. Peter’s thinking is along those lines now, therefore he naturally mentions the part of the experience they have all had but not spoken about. The part of the experience that gives quality to the Christian life. Purity of heart. Jesus made it clear mankind’s biggest problem is the heart. He (Jesus) continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.” Mark 7: 20 - 23. Because we all used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephes 2:2 Christs salvation meets our need by eradicating this bad heart. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Rom 2:29 The Lord pronounced a bleson the pure in heart. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Math 5:8 The Apostle Paul puts humanity in only two categories. Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15 The last word comes from the Apostle Peter, in which in a few words he summarises the Christian life. Having purified your souls in obedience to the truth unto sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently, out of a pure heart, 1Peter 1:22 (:47 – 48) The chapter finishes with the new believers being baptised. It is a symbolic act of faith confirming a new life. What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or are you not aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with

Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. Rom 6:1 – 4

APPENDIX

THE MEANING OF THE HEART IN THE BIBLE. Here is an example of the pure heart in action. Jesus on men looking at women. It is essential men have a better understanding of this statement by Jesus, “...But I say unto you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Math 5:27,28) I was at a youth prayer meeting years ago, and somebody asked a Minister who was present for a comment on this verse. My ears pricked up because I was struggling with this issue myself. He replied, “some friends of mine and I discussed this, and we came to agreement that the first look is OK, and the second look is lust. “Is that really the answer? Is that the best God has for all of us men who are intimately acquainted with this experience? “ definitely not. It is important for men to think this issue through properly. We need to face the fact that we are wired to look and that the ladies are made to cause us to look! How will I know who I am attracted too and who is a potential marriage partner if I do not look? God put sexual attraction in us. It is not going away. Assuming it was not God’s intention to give us the urge so that He could delight in catching us in adultery, or we be tormented all our lives, there must be a better solution. The key to Jesus’ meaning are in the phrases, 'to lust after her' (Amplified says, with evil desire for her) and 'in his heart '. To paraphrase we could say - he looks at her and would sleep with her if he could because of the evil condition of his heart. Lust in the original language can be translated, Strongs Greek C1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon. Christ is really talking to his listeners about the condition of their hearts. He confirmed it in Mark 7: 21 “for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed .......adulteries...” Therefore, looking is not the problem. The condition of the heart is the problem. What then is the satisfactory solution for my experience? Here it is! The disciples received an experience on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) that is often overlooked. Peter spoke about it in Acts 15. “...and God gave them (the Gentiles) the Holy Spirit as He did with us.......cleansing (purifying) their hearts by faith.” One of the miracles of the New Testament is the pure heart obtained

for us by Jesus. Does this make a difference in our looking? Paul talks about it in Titus 1:15 “To the pure in heart and conscience all things are pure.” Adultery is no longer an issue. The word heart in Acts 15:9 can be translated ‘the middle’. The word heart in the Bible means the centre of man’s being. Where all the issues and motivation for his living comes from. For the Christian it is essentially our spirit. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Prov 4:23 The Old Testament has many references to the heart. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Ps 24:4 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart and be no more stiff-necked." Deut 10:16 In all the Old Testament references it was something God commanded them to do. Because they did not have the Holy Spirit in them it was largely an attitude God was expecting from them, coupled with outward righteous actions. For us who have the immeasurable blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit, it is something we first receive, then live out in spiritual living. It is a gift of grace from Jesus atonement. Our hearts are returned to innocence. Praise God !! Having purified your souls in obedience to the truth unto sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently, out of a pure heart, 1Peter 1:22. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God. Rom 2:29. When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision - the cutting away of your sinful nature. Col 2:11. There are times when heart in the Bible refers to thoughts and feelings. Preachers and teachers often mean emotions when speaking of the heart. Whole books have been written on the heart as thoughts, feelings and emotions. That is not wrong because emotion should come into our relationship with God. The New Testaments emphasis is on the deeper central spiritual part of a person, being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Personally, I try to discern which aspect of the word heart a teacher, preacher or author is referring too, adjust my thinking, then listen to learn. The End