Study Four
scottSTANLEY
In this study we’re going to deal with one more foundational concept that, for me as a teacher, is essential that people grasp this and understand so that they might be able to follow my reasoning through the Bible. This concept has to do with the Bible itself. It has to do with the way we interpret this book, the way we see this book, the part that it plays in our lives. And if we can only be in unity as to how we interpret the book, then we should be able to stay pretty close together as we go through the various prophecies of Revelation and any prophecy, anything that we find written in the Bible. If we’re interpreting it the same, if we’re able to see it the same, we can be together on these things. And again, I would suggest to you that as you listen to these tapes, if there are things you disagree with, you need to let me know. Because I am being as honest with you as I know how to be. And I am speaking to you from my heart. It’s important to me that people grasp the truths that we are presenting in this ministry. Because I believe it isn’t long until the Lord comes. And I believe that there are other people out there with honest hearts, that really are seeking answers. And I pray that you’re finding answers on these studies.
This is the last foundational study before we go on into the book of Revelation and looking at prophecies. In fact, the next study for those of you who signed up for the Revelation course, the next study deals with the rapture and antichrist. And when I say those words, I hope you don’t jump to conclusions as to what you think I believe. Because you might be surprised. The next study after this, “The Rapture/Antichrist.” After that, we go on into Revelation itself. But right now, I want to talk about the Bible. And I think, perhaps, you may hear things in this study you have never heard before. I pray that you have an open heart and that you remain in prayer and that I trust God to prick your heart as to the correctness of what I’m sharing with you. And if I say something that’s going to lead us astray, I pray that He open your eyes to that, and that we not be led astray. But in so far as I understand at this point in my life, what I’m going to share with you is an ultimate tool -- I could say, the ultimate tool in helping us understand the scriptures. Now I’m not saying I have ultimate understanding. But I do possess the tool that will bring me ultimate understanding, I could say a complete understanding.
Turn with me to 1 Peter chapter 1. I want to begin reading at verse 9. And he actually begins speaking of a complete understanding. 1 Peter 1:9, he writes,
1 Peter 1:9
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Now, this word “end” has been translated “perfect.” It means “complete.” But it has been translated “perfect” in other places in the New Testament. It just simply means complete. And we know faith is a noun. It’s something you possess. It is the result of what you believe. So he’s speaking here of the completion of your faith, or the completion of your understanding and he equates it to the salvation of your souls. If you have ever wondered the true meaning of salvation and looked for a verse that would explain exactly what salvation is, here it is. It is the completion of your understanding, bringing you into the knowledge of Christ. Remember Ephesians 4:13.
Ephesians 4:13
13 Till we all come [or arrive] in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect [complete] man [There’s that word again. A perfect man. How perfect?], unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
And remember, your thoughts ultimately are what lead to actions. So if you are walking in the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, that means you’re thinking the way He thinks. And the completion of your faith, the completion of your understanding brings you to that place. It is called the salvation of your soul. Salvation, therefore, is mind re-formation. And he speaks of this salvation, 1 Peter 1:9, but let’s keep reading. Follow through what he states here. Verse 10.
1 Peter 1:10
10 Of which salvation [this salvation, the completion of your understanding. Of which salvation...] the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it [or Christ’s spirit] testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
In this verse, he has just said a mouthful. He is speaking about prophets that Christ spoke through before Calvary, because Christ was speaking through these men of the sufferings that He would endure, future. Not only of those sufferings, but of the glory that would follow those sufferings. The glory that follows His sufferings is not simply the glory He possessed afterward. It is that glory He gives to the church and the glory that takes place at the second coming. These prophets, then, are Old Testament prophets, and it is the spirit of Christ speaking through them. Hence, it is the spirit of Christ that wrote the book, because I believe, it is the same spirit who moved through the New Testament prophets. So it is the spirit of Christ who wrote the book, the Bible, the entire thing. Various men took part in writing, but there was one mind behind it all. And we see here it is the spirit of Christ.
Now notice, keep reading with me now, and notice what he states. Verse 12.
1 Peter 1:12
12 Unto whom [these prophets] it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister [ministered] the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost [Spirit] sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Again, here’s another mouthful. Let me paraphrase what he just said to you. These Old Testament prophets realized it was revealed to them that they were not writing, or ministering things for their generation alone. They were ministering to us. Who? Notice what he says. They were ministering things which are now reported unto you by them that have received the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. Now don’t miss these two points here. Number 1, the Old Testament prophets realized they were ministering to a future group of people. And this future group of people are now hearing, now listen, they’re now hearing what the Old Testament prophets wrote from these fellows who have now received the Spirit sent from heaven. In other words, the Old Testament prophets wrote of things that the New Testament prophets declared.
Now that’s key for me to share with you, because I don’t know how many times I’ve been told by people, we’re a new covenant church. We don’t read the Old Testament. And yet, here is a verse telling you that the men who received the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, that has to be part of that glory that would follow. These men who had received that Holy Spirit sent down from heaven and spoke, were speaking what the Old Testament prophets recorded. And the Old Testament prophets realized, well, we’re ministering to a future group of people. The only way you do that is write it so that the future group can read it. At this point, realize the spirit of Christ wrote the book. Old and New Testaments. The spirit of Christ wrote this book. One more verse, I want to read with you before we go on. It’s 1 Corinthians chapter 10, where I believe Paul just reiterates who the book is for.
1 Corinthians 10:11
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [examples]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends [end] of the world are [is] come.
So here we have the apostle Paul saying that these things were recorded for those upon whom the end of the world is come. I believe that’s us. I believe the end of the world is coming upon our generation. I know that many people have believed that for hundreds of years. But when I look at the light being given the church, I’m not talking about what’s going on in Israel, or what’s going on around.... I’m not talking about with the world. I’m talking about with the church. The people who have ears to hear, are receiving truths that have never been given before and it is coming in like a flood. And if you don’t believe me, get the Revelation Studies and you will hear Revelation put in a way you’ve never heard before. That is something I want to talk about on this tape, the way you’re going to hear it.
Right now, realize Christ wrote the book. It’s written for those upon whom the end of the world is come and turn to Mark chapter 4, verse 34.
Mark 4:34
34 But without a parable spake [spoke] he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Here is a truth I want you to couple with the fact that you know Christ wrote the book. Christ only taught in parables. He only taught in parables. And when He was alone with the disciples, He would give them the meanings of what He had said. Do you have the courage to apply that principle to the book? Am I saying the book is not literal? No. I’m saying that there is a meaning to the book that I think people have been missing for a long time. A parable, the word “parable” means “to lay down beside.” Yes, we can read this book and we can see literal facts in this book. But there is another meaning beside it. And that is the meaning that you’re going to get only from the Spirit of God. If you want to read the book and stay in that literal mind set, then you’re open to deception, and I’m going to prove these things and how He warns us of this in the Bible itself. First, look at 2 Corinthians chapter 3, and notice this principle that the apostle Paul records for you.
2 Corinthians 3:6
6 Who also hath [has] made us able ministers of the new testament [covenant]; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth [kills], but the spirit giveth life.
Now think about it. He has made us ministers of the new covenant. Not of the letter, but of the spirit. What does he mean, when he says, not of the letter? Could I say, it means not of the literal application of it? Not that there isn’t a literal application. There is. But we are ministers of the new covenant; that is spiritual. Not of the letter, but of the spirit. The letter kills you. The spirit gives life. Right off the top of my mind here, let me give you an example. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, and he said “you must be born again,” and how did Nicodemus understand that? Nicodemus heard him literally. Was Jesus speaking literal truth? No. He was spiritual. Nicodemus responds by saying, “Well, how can a man go back in his mother’s womb?” Jesus was talking about a spiritual birth.
That happens again in the next chapter when he’s talking to the woman at the well, and He says “if you knew who I was, if you knew the gift of God, you would ask of me and I would give you living water.” And she took Him literally and asked Him about the well, and are you greater than Jacob? This was his well. But He was speaking of the words out of His mouth. Again, in John chapter 6, when He tells the Jews, “eat my flesh, drink my blood.” He did not mean that in a literal way. He meant that spiritually. You see, those words, when you read the scriptures, those words lay down beside a higher truth. If you want to read them literally, you may. But the letter of it will kill you. The spirit of it will give you life. I’m thinking of Romans, chapter 7 and reading from verse 14,
Romans 7:14
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
The law is spiritual. But I am carnal. When I read this law, and I see this literal application of it, it’s my own reasoning. I’m missing the point. I’m seeing the letter of it, I’m not seeing the spirit of it. Notice what he says in Romans 8:2.
Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus hath [has] made me free from the law of sin and death.
And if you wonder what the law of sin and death is, in 2 Corinthians chapter 3, again verse 7,
2 Corinthians 3:7
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, ....
He equates - the same man who wrote Romans, wrote 2 Corinthians.
Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath [has] made me free from the law of sin and death.
Now this study is not on the law as we use the word “law.” In this study I want you to look at the entire book and I want you to recognize a higher truth based on this principle. Every single thing outward is an expression of the inward. That is true with each one of us personally. There is nothing we say or do that doesn’t begin in our minds. And what I would like to suggest to you is that in creation, everything created from flowers to trees, to mountains to lakes, streams, clouds, anything that you see in creation, is the outward picture of an inward truth. There is not a single thing God created that doesn’t express an inward truth.
If God wanted us to stop sinning, He just has to tie us down and we won’t sin. Instead, He changes the way we think. And He teaches us things by outward manifestations. Look at Romans chapter 1, verse 19.
Romans 1:19
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [shown] it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, [Now notice, the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly seen. From the creation of the world, are clearly seen. The invisible things of God are seen from the creation of the world, since He has created. Notice,] being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
What he says, “being understood by the things that are made,” he’s not talking about by the people who are made they now can understand. He’s talking about you can understand Him by looking at the things that are made. The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are understood because you can look at what He has made and see the invisible things. It’s like that with every one of us. Again, you don’t say it, you don’t do it, unless you think it. And by looking at people’s facial expressions, body language, as you learn to look at that, you can see the invisible things.
The Lord is helping us take this principle and apply it to the entire book, because the entire book is full of the things God has made. When He speaks of clouds, when He speaks of trees, the heavens, the earth and the sea, the stars, all of those things represent invisible things. Christ wrote the book. Christ only taught in parables. When you come to Him alone, He will expound to you the meaning. But I think part of the problem has been, we have picked up the book, and determined to read it for ourselves. And we have seen only one part of what He is saying. And I’m telling you there is a part laying beside that, that is higher, has higher meaning for us. The letter leads to death. If all you’re reading in this is the letter of it, it’s death. The spirit of it is what gives you life. Does that mean we don’t look at any literal? No. I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is, we have looked at the literal for too long, and it’s time to allow the spirit to give life to the meaning of the book.
Now in this study, I want to cover with you some of the meanings that the Lord has helped me see. Because this principle of learning to see things spiritually is key if you’re going to ever understand the last book of the Bible. Let’s read in Colossians chapter 1, the importance of spiritual understanding.
Colossians 1:9
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will [now notice] in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 [So] That ye [you] might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [in God’s knowledge]
Now stop a minute. Remember, perfect understanding, a completed faith, the knowledge of the Son of God. What we just read here is that if you cannot see things spiritually, you will never possess the knowledge of God. That is what brings you to a perfect man. That is what completes your faith. That is the salvation of your souls. If what we do moves us to action, as He straightens out, if what we think leads us leads us to action, as He straightens out our thinking, we will be living and manifesting holiness to the world around us, as He defines it. So again let me say, the Lord has given me the ultimate tool to interpret the book. It is the ultimate tool that will bring us a completed understanding. And if you can receive it, then when we go forward on into the prophecies, you’ll have your eyes opened, just like all of those people who have gone before you through these studies have had their eyes opened to the meaning of truth, which brings me to another verse. When we talk about the truth, in John 14, verse 6,
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith [said] unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh [comes] unto the Father, but by me.
When we talk about the word “truth,” we’re not talking about a fact. We’re talking about a person. The truth is a person. The truth is Jesus Christ. Again, what comes out of your mouth may be factual, but if He isn’t moving you to say it, it isn’t the truth, because He is the truth. With that in mind, if you will look at Romans chapter 2, and in Romans 2, the apostle Paul is addressing people who rested in the law. The Jews who lived according to the law, and we know it was the letter of it, trying to keep the letter of this law. And I want you to see in Romans 2, verse 17 he says,
Romans 2:17
17 Behold, thou art [you are] called a Jew, and restest [you’re resting] in the law, ....
Now let me tell you. Resting in the law is not resting in Christ. If I rest in Christ, I’m only speaking, acting, moving, doing as He is leading me to do, as we saw in the study “The Gospel of the Kingdom” or “God’s Kingdom Within.” But to rest in the law means I’m going to read the book and do what it says and rest in that, trust I’m doing the right thing because the book says to do this.
17 Behold, thou art [you are] called a Jew, and restest [you’re resting] in the law, and makest thy [you’re making your] boast of God,
18 And knowest [you know] his will, and approvest [you approve] the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art [you’re] confident that thou thyself art [you yourself are] a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, [now notice real close what he says] which hast [has] the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
Did he say that what’s written in the law is the truth? No. He said it’s a form of the truth. The truth is Jesus Christ. If He moved these men to write the book, and if this was put together by the mind of Christ, this is a form of truth. But if Christ isn’t giving you the definition and meaning of it, for you it will not be the truth. It will be your idea of what you think it means. And that’s important that you grasp that, because Isaiah chapter 55, reading verse 8, the Lord says,
Isaiah 55:8
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
And words convey thought. If His thoughts are different than ours, so are His words. And when you read a particular verse and you think it means such and such, I’m here to tell you that Christ only spoke in parables, and that fact you’re looking at is laying beside something higher, and we want the truth of it. We want the spirit to define it for us. We want to grow in spiritual understanding. Since we’re in Romans 2, let’s use this as a step into spiritual meanings. Because here he is talking about a form of the truth being found in the law. Also, in 2 Timothy, let’s just go ahead and read this one too, in 2 Timothy, chapter 1 verse 13, Paul writes,
2 Timothy 1:13
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast [you have] heard of me,....
You see, I’m telling you that the book itself is a form of truth. Even what is coming out of my mouth at this point, is a form of truth. Except the truth, or Jesus Christ, speak it through you, and confirm in your heart, the listener, that this is accurate, there’s no truth in it. In 2 Timothy 3, notice verse 5. Talk about a group of people who have a form of godliness but they deny the power of it. (2 Timothy 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.)
1 Corinthians 1:24 says Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God. Same word. And that is what I see in the denominational groups today - people who have a form of the truth. You see, they are reading the book, but the true meaning that will give you life is hidden behind what they’re reading, and they are not seeking the spirit to give them the truth of it. They are determining for themselves what is truth and that’s why we have literally hundreds of denominations, every one going a different direction because they’re reading the book a different way. Yet only one mind moved through these people too write this book. Back to Romans 2, Paul is addressing Jews who rested in the law. And at the end of chapter 2, of Romans 2, he makes this statement. Verse 28.
Romans 2:28
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Here the Lord in the book has used the apostle Paul to define Jew, to define that word Jew. What did he just say? In God’s eyes, a Jew is not the person who has been circumcised and born in that literal lineage of the Jews. He is the fellow who is circumcised in heart. He is the fellow who has had a born again experience. Does that mean there are no Jews? No. Does that mean God doesn’t see any literal Jews? No. But in God’s eyes, the true Jew is the spiritual Jew. You see. We are spiritual Jews living in a spiritual kingdom, keeping as we saw in Romans 7:14, spiritual laws. We are spiritual people. Remember Jesus said, you must worship the Father in spirit and in truth, because the two have got to come together. In spirit and in truth. A Jew is someone circumcised inwardly. Circumcision is that of the heart.
Therefore, when we’re reading the book and we see this word “Jew,” I want you to recognize that there is another meaning behind it. And Paul has just defined Jew for us. He has just taken that spiritual meaning and brought it out so that we could see it. And we go from looking at this literal nation called the Jews, to seeing the bigger picture in our Father’s eyes. You see, I can take this concept and take it right to Revelation 7 and direct it to the 144,000 who are all Jews. They’re of the tribes of Israel. And I can show you that is a spiritual meaning, not literal. That’s important because I have read books, some recent, looking at the 144,000 as these Jews who will be on this planet after the rapture takes place. And I’m going to tell you right now, that is not what that is talking about. There is spiritual meaning to the 144,000. It simply means the complete body of Christ. And as we get into the prophecies, you’re going to see exactly where I get that and how that applies. Let me say this again, if you’re reading this book, living according to the letter of it, it is death. It is the spirit of it that gives you life. And remember, in John 6:63 Jesus said “the words that I speak are spirit and they are life,” and highlight that word speak. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life.
If you understand this abiding principle, and you enter into the abiding truth and you have now ears to ear what the spirit is saying, then He is going to define for us higher revelations of truth than you ever imagined, than you ever thought possible. And He is going to reveal for us inner workings that will help straighten out the crooked places and bring us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father that I believe most of Christianity dreams of, they’re searching for. I can’t help but believe there are people who go to church week after week after week, and they sit in that church and they are just experiencing a living death because there is no fire. There’s nothing happening. There’s no fire and even many of the things that seem to be happening are really not happening of Christ. And in their heart they see it, they’re afraid to admit it. It’s hard to live with. And I’m telling you, friend, that can change in your life right now, if you’ll only allow the spirit of God to move in your heart, to help you see a higher revelation of truth.
Remember, in the letters to the seven churches, Jesus Christ speaks of a group of people called the synagogue of Satan. What Paul writes in Romans 2 defines that because the Lord says in Revelation, they claim that they’re Jews, and they’re not. And here is His definition of a Jew, to be spiritually circumcised. That is what He means. They claim to be Jews, and they’re not. He doesn’t mean they claim to be of that nation of Israel. He means they claim to be Jews, spiritual Jews, and they’re not. And He says, “it’s the synagogue of Satan.” They have a form of godliness, but they deny the power. They deny Christ in it. And His admonition to us is, “from such turn away. Get away from that.” They will keep that bondage around you. They’ll keep hold on you, and just keep you bound to literalism. Being literal is OK to a point. But life is in the spirit of it. And in this study we want to bring out, I hope create, a rhythm of understanding for you that will help you look at the things made and understand the invisible things of God.
I pray to be able to speak this as plain as possible. And I know some of the things we’re going to talk about may be difficult, but I also know you have a brain/mind capable of understanding it. And if you will apply yourself, we will be on the same level of understanding, being able to read these verses, seeking the Lord for the true meaning, and allowing Him to move us into His kingdom. Hallelujah! How could you want anything else? And I would just simply ask you, if you’re satisfied, if you’re satisfied to be in the place you are. If you’re not, let’s take another step, and let’s see what the Lord has for us. If you are, perhaps you’re not ready for this study.
Isaiah 55, we’ve already read verses 8 and 9. I want to begin at verse 10.
Isaiah 55:10
10 For as the rain cometh [comes] down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth [returns] not thither [there], but watereth [waters] the earth, and maketh [makes] it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth [goes] out of my mouth:...
His words shall be as what? As the rain coming down. Now it’s interesting that He equates His words to rain coming down from heaven. Words carry thought. And I want you to see some other verses that deal with thought, that deal with words, and equates that to water. Turn with me to Proverbs 18. In Proverbs 18, look at verse 4.
Proverbs 18:4
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook.
The words out of your mouth are as deep waters. The Lord says, “My word is like rain falling from heaven.” Turn to Proverbs, chapter 25. In verse 25 it reads,
Proverbs 25:25
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
As cold waters are to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. News, or that thought, those concepts, news equates to water, just as cold water quenches a soul, quenches your thirst. Good news does that too. Waters equal thought. Let’s look at Ephesians 5, verse 26.
Ephesians 5:26
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
King James has put “by the word.” It’s actually “in word.” He is going to cleanse and sanctify using the washing of water, or the water of words. Here again, you have water as a cleansing. Words from Him clean. They cleanse you. They are clean. They will clean and sanctify us by using words. Also, in Jeremiah chapter 10, let’s read this one.
Jeremiah 10:13
13 When he uttereth [utters] his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, ....
There you have it again. God’s words are like heavenly water. Words carry thought. I think of Revelation 17, verse 15.
Revelation 17:15
15 And he saith [said] unto me, The waters which thou sawest [saw], where the whore sitteth [sits], are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
And I always took that to mean that those waters represented people. But I realize now, it represents the thought of those people, because you’ve got to compare this to Isaiah 17. In Isaiah chapter 17, verse 12, he says,
Isaiah 17:12
12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
So I think Revelation 17:15 is consistent with all of these other things that we’re reading in the scriptures, that water is a symbol of words, which convey thought. Waters are a symbol of thought. If that be true, then it’s obvious that heavenly water, which in reality is distilled water, it is pure water. It represents God’s thought. And He rains it down on the earth. But on the earth, there is a body of water called the sea. The sea is impure water that you cannot live off of. You will die if you only live according to the thoughts of the world, the water of the sea. Look at Isaiah 51, and in Isaiah 51, verse 9 it says,
Isaiah 51:9
9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou [Are you] not it that hath [has] cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
10 Art thou [Are you] not it which hath [has] dried the sea, [and here he defines it] the waters of the great deep; ....
This word “deep,” the Strong’s number is [8415] and it is equivalent to the Greek word “abyss.” Now this word [8415], this is a Hebrew word. But the Greek equivalent, the New Testament equivalent to it, is the word “abyss.” Here he has just said, the sea are the waters of the abyss. The “abyss” is the word translated in Revelation as the “bottomless pit.” Now just bear with me and think this through with me. If our minds are infinite, and we know they are, because they can never fill up - our minds can never be so full you can’t learn another thing - then when Adam and Eve fell and lost control of the mind and started plunging downward, that downward plunge is bottomless. And when you read in Revelation about things coming out of the bottomless pit, we can apply that inwardly. And we see that the sea, the sea are the thoughts, the sea represents the thoughts of the abyss, of the world. It’s impure. Anything coming out of that sea that you try, you try to sustain life on sea water, you cannot do it. You need pure water. You need water from heaven.
I think you’re beginning to get a taste of what’s coming down the pike as we take these prophecies, as we take these word definitions and allow the Lord to put His meaning, the spiritual meaning of it. Let’s continue building on this. Let’s continue now. We’re looking at heavenly water. We’ve looked at the water of the earth, the sea. We see that it’s impure, that it is the thoughts or the water of the abyss. King James has put “of the deep.” But it’s that same word, “abyss.”
I want to look at the heavens, the earth, and the sea themselves. I want to look at that big picture of the heavens, the earth and the sea and see if the Lord doesn’t give us greater definition of what those things mean. And again, as we learn to see the big picture, as we learn to look at the things made, in order to understand the invisible things of God, because I know in that realm of the invisible things of God, are the deep things of God. And I want as deep an understanding of Him as I can possibly have. Let’s turn to Zechariah chapter 12, reading verse 1.
Zechariah 12:1
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth [stretches] forth the heavens, and layeth [lays] the foundation of the earth, and formeth [forms] the spirit of man within him.
Now think of what we’ve just read here. It says the Lord stretches forth the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him. I used to read that and think, well that meant three different things. It would stretch forth the heavens, lay the foundation of the earth, and form man’s spirit. But I would like to suggest to you that when He stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, that is His way of describing to us the formation of man’s spirit - that those two words, the heavens and the earth, represent levels of understanding. The heavens represent how God understands. The earth is our understanding. The sea, we have just seen, represents the waters of the abyss, or of the entire world. Three levels of understanding - the heavens, the earth, and the sea.
Now follow me. Each one of us then, possesses a heavens, earth and sea between our ears. In other words, levels of understanding. Turn to Proverbs, chapter 25 again, reading verse 3.
Proverbs 25:3
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Here again, he has just put the heavens and earth in the same concept line of man’s heart. We saw in Zechariah man’s spirit. Here we see the heart of kings. The heavens for height. Isn’t it interesting that your mind is infinite and you go outside and you look at the heavens, and it too, is infinite. I look at the things made to understand what I cannot see - to understand these invisible things. If you are in the heavens, that means you are understanding as God understands. Look at the gospel of John, chapter 3. We talked about this already when John talks about being born again. And Jesus Christ makes this statement in verse 13.
John 3:13
13 And no man hath [has] ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, ....
Now stop for a minute. That cannot be true if it’s literal - to say no man had ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven. But if you are looking at it spiritually, what He just said is, there is no man who has ascended up to God’s understanding on his own. No one has just understood the way God thinks.
John 3:13
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which [right now, he says] is in heaven.
Literally, He was standing on this planet. Where was His mind? In the understanding, in the knowledge of His Heavenly Father. He was in heaven. And that is what it means in Revelation, chapter 12. Let’s read this together.
Revelation 12:12
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath [he knows he has] but a short time.
What do we have when we have people dwelling in the earth and the sea? In other words, they live in that understanding of self or of the world. They’re not in God’s understanding. They are the people who read the book, and only see the one aspect of it. They never see the life that is in it. They are the synagogue of Satan. They are the people who read it literally and dwell in the earth, in their own understanding of the book. If you’re in the heavens, rejoice. If you’re in the earth and sea, woe be to you, because Satan can deceive you. The heavens, the earth and the sea. Outward expressions of inward truth.
You see, if this be true, if we’re able to take the scriptures and realize there is a hidden meaning to this, there is something more to it, than just this literal thing I’m getting because every church, when you go to every church in this nation, you get that literal view of the book, and there is death, practically on every face - because you can only go so far with that. But if you begin to understand there is a higher meaning, if you begin to understand, to walk in spiritual understanding, it will help correct your walk with the Lord and give you power and strength like you never knew existed. 1 Corinthians chapter 2, I want to share this. This has to be one of my favorite chapters of the book and let’s just start reading at verse 1.
1 Corinthians 2:1
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. [God’s testimony]
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
Remember that abiding message. You give Him your tongue. You only speak as He moves you. You only act and do as He moves you and you will have power in your life. How could you not have power, because it is Him coming through. Verse 5.
5 [So] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men [So your understanding would not be in men’s wisdom], but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [the hidden wisdom] even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [They would have understood what He was saying. ]
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath [has] prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath [has] revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth [searches] all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth [knows] the things of a man, save [except] the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth [knows] no man, but the Spirit of God. [You could say, which is in him]
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [Now notice verse 13]
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth [teaches], but which the Holy Ghost teacheth [the Holy Spirit teaches]; comparing [we compare] spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth [receives] not the things of the Spirit of God [God’s spirit]: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth [judges] all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath [has] known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Who has know the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct the Lord? Well, that’s the mind you possess, if you’re listening to the voice of God. That is the mind we possess as a body, if we’re allowing the spirit to give us definition of the meaning of the book. The book is filled with definitions of things made. And as we go through the prophecies of Revelation, we’re going to seek out meanings in the book, because I know one mind wrote the book. If water is thought, a river is a stream of thought. The book is a river. And there are nuggets of truth from Genesis to Revelation. When we come to Revelation, we can pick up these nuggets and allow the Lord to move us back upstream to find where He defines those meanings. Then we will simply apply that meaning to the prophecy, and seek the Lord for a yea or a nay as to how we’re reading the book.
Let me tell you, it takes courage, because things we have believed, things that we thought were accurate, we’re going to discover, are inaccurate. And you’re going to see a picture emerge of a group of people walking in the light of God, unto perfection. And on the other hand, you’re going to see how gross darkness covers the earth. And I guarantee you, if you will continue in these studies, if you will stay with it, that darkness will become so apparent to you, of where you have been, and the people in these denominational groups, you will sing and rejoice that the Lord has brought you out of it.
I pray that we have the wisdom and courage and strength to walk in Christ.