ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

Library of Transcripts

(For purposes of clarity, brackets [ ] indicate either the author's paraphrase of scripture or editing for transcription.)

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.

For many, the emptiness is still a reality -- And only God’s love will correct it.

Through the years, the Lord has so increased the understanding of His last day church. We can truly say that He is making us kings and priests as He further defines the meaning of how you enter into His priesthood – exactly how a priest will minister to another person – and being a king; being in control of the “land” you possess; being the one sitting on that throne, allowing God to lead you every step of the way. Well, there is a verse in Proverbs dealing with “kings” that I want to open the study with – it’s found in Proverbs 20, verse 8 – and let me put this on the screen:

8 ¶ A king that [sits] in the throne of judgment [scatters] away all evil with his eyes.

That verse took on new meaning to me, having the understanding that I’ve been sharing with you that the Lord has revealed in Ephesians, concerning what it means to us to be seated at the right hand of God with Christ. A king who is sitting in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. Well, I want to risk being redundant and go over Ephesians again – this time, let’s start at verse 1, and let’s tie this in so that these scriptures will have meaning... a king sitting in the throne of judgment, scattering away all evil with your eyes. That takes on new meaning... I’m telling you, the significance of that, understanding what we understand today gives us a clue as to how we overcome – living up to one’s integrity – living up to the light that we have; walking in the understanding that we have; being victorious over the adversity that lies within our own hearts. Let’s turn to Ephesians 1, and let’s just begin reading at verse 1:

1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus , and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

That is what is a “saint” is – a holy one, someone who is in Christ. You enter into the abiding truth; you enter into the sanctuary of God – you’re in the Holy Place . You pass the “Laodicean” experience where He gives the call: “Come up here,” and you enter into the Holy of Holies.

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday I heard a radio evangelist talking about the word “grace” – believe it or not, he got it right – it’s the divine impression on the heart, and he was giving a wakeup call to the churches who teach that “grace” is unmerited favor. And when I heard him give this message, it stirred something within me. Let me tell you something: We are at the end of the world. We have an accumulation of knowledge and a hold, a grasp on Wisdom that has never happened before to the true church of God . We are understanding things that the apostles themselves were looking into to understand – we can use their writings, and with the mind of Wisdom, understand things, understand truths that they were searching for. So I praise God for where He has brought us, but when I hear these fellows on the radio, even these people who are living in the darkness they’re in are beginning to pick up on things that we have been seeing for years, and I think the Lord is priming them for the next step in this message of truth. Let’s go back to Ephesians – verse 3:

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

“All spiritual blessings in heavenly places” or in the heavenlies in Christ – all spiritual blessings... I could say: “With all the blessings of the mind” – He’s blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies by us being in Christ. “In Christ” – we’re listening to that man; we’re receiving the truth as He understands truth, as He has received from His Father – He is that prophet of Deuteronomy 18. The Father has blessed us with every blessing of the mind – what does that mean to you? Your mind is the most powerful thing you possess. The mind controls the body: The body cannot discern between what is real and what is imagined as the mind brings it to the body. Now, He has blessed us with all the blessings of the mind – all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. That should mean health to us; that should mean joy, peace... That should mean victory; that should mean deliverance.

As a man thinks in his soul, so is he. We are the accumulation of everything we have believed all of our lives. The reason it’s in your mind is because you have believed it – the reason you’ve retained it is because you have believed it. Consider the people who have raised us – whether they were trying to walk with the Lord or they were not. Consider the things that we have been told, we have been taught from our childhood up – the things we have received, the things that need to be straightened out, the things that make us who we are, and recognize that God has given us all the blessings of the mind. There is nothing between your ears that cannot be straightened out. There is no fear that His love cannot rectify. There is no problem you have that the love of God, as portrayed by Christ, as seen in Jesus Christ, as declared by the Son of God... there is no problem that we have that the love of God cannot fix. The whole body of Christ – whole with a “w” – the whole body of Christ, reaching that place of perfection where we walk “in the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” ... That doesn’t just simply mean deliverance from sin – that means a physical wellness in body, soul and spirit. That means a wholeness – verse 3 again:

3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who [has] blessed us with all [blessings of the mind] in Christ:

4 According as he [has] chosen us [in other words, He’s blessed us according to this plan... as he has chosen us...] in him [we’re to be in Him] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

I say to be in Him because the Lord would have the entire world be saved, but He has chosen this way of doing it – that we be in Christ, that we receive the truth of His love through the Son of God. When we do this, we stand before Him holy and without blame in love. Let’s talk about that for a second: “Holy” means my mind is separated; “holy” means I’ve begun to listen (I’ve entered into the first compartment of the sanctuary); “without blame” means I’ve reached a place of being “perfect according to the conscience” – I know He isn’t condemning me. I know He understands why I do what I do, and I stand before Him “holy and without blame in His love.” I can stand holy and without blame before Him in His love – not my love. It isn’t that I love Him and I’m standing before Him holy and without blame – it means I have received His love and I can stand before Him, separated from the world, perfected in my conscience in His love. Verse 5:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children [through] Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Now get that: the concepts Paul has written, just verse after verse after verse, are just magnificent truths. God predestinated us to be his children by means of Jesus Christ. By birthing one person, He can show the rest of the world how much He loves them. He doesn’t have to birth twenty million people – He births one. The created people on this planet who become sons of God through Jesus Christ realize that the Father loves them as much as He loves Jesus. He has adopted us to be in His family – to be His child according to the good pleasure of His will – from the foundation of the world. Look at yourself, and look at all the things you see wrong in your character – the Father knew that from the foundation of the world. He decided He wanted us in His family. He decided He wanted to prove to us that He loved us as though He had birthed us Himself. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, God loves you.

Now listen, He loves you unconditionally – that doesn’t mean you possess that love in your heart. He loves you, but if you don’t open up and receive it, it isn’t going to make a difference. If we don’t hear the truth about His only begotten Son... if we don’t hear the truth about what happened at Calvary, then the love of God is not going to permeate our souls, and we’re not going to possess all the spiritual blessings that happen in Christ. We have to hear the truth – we have to receive it; we have to believe it, and we will become His children through that process. The day will come – the Lord will speak to your heart that you’re His child – that’s what makes you His child. It isn’t reading a verse and saying: “Ok, well I believe that” – it’s the experience. What we’re reading in Ephesians, Paul is laying out the true experience the church goes through – being adopted into the family, predestinated to be so by means of Jesus Christ; being enriched with every spiritual blessing that He can put within our ears. You open up – He fills it up... You open up your heart, He loves you totally. You open up your heart, you receive His love, He heals you. Let’s read verse 5 again:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ [unto] himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise [and] glory of his grace [the impression of the heart – that we’re receiving this by means of hearing, of listening], wherein he [has] made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In [the beloved, In Christ, we have a cutting loose,] we have redemption through his blood [as we understand the blood shed, we have a cutting loose from our old man], the [lifting up, the remission] of [character traits], according to the riches of his grace;

Are you struggling? It’s by means of grace that you’re going to overcome. Are you struggling? Start praying – humble yourself before God and hear Him and, by the riches of His grace, He will remove the faults in our lives by giving us truth and changing the way we understand life, and the way we understand ourselves.

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he ... purposed [get this...] in himself [not Him and the Son figuring this out. This is something the Father purposed in Himself]:

10 That in the [dispensing out] of the fulness of [time... we might as well just say, in the last days] he might gather together [into one family] all things [that are] in Christ, both which are in [the heavens], and which are on [the] earth; ... in him:

Being in Christ is the key – just as in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of Man. .. When everyone who got in the boat (which is a type of Christ) – everyone who got in the boat was family. He’s going to gather us all together into one family – one in spirit.... everyone who is in Christ. Verse 11:

11 In whom also we have [already] obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who [works] all things after the counsel of his own will:

13 In whom [you] also trusted, after [you] heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after [you] believed, [you] were sealed with that holy Spirit [that He promised], [He has separated your mind after believing – you are sealed with a holy spirit. Your mind is separated.]

14 [This] is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession [Romans 8:23 – is the body], [He begins with the Spirit; He will redeem you entirely] unto the praise of his glory.

15 ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; [Now we come to verse 17 – tapes have been made on these verses. I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this, but I am going, by God’s grace, to stir you up... stir these thoughts up so that we can go back to Proverbs 20. Paul’s prayer – let’s go through it, verse 17:]

17 ... the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who is] the Father of glory, may give unto you [a] spirit of wisdom and revelation in [His knowledge – the knowledge He possesses]:

18 [When this happens] The eyes of your understanding [will be] enlightened [your eyes will be opened]; [and you’ll] know [the three things:] ... the hope of his calling, ... the riches of the glory of [this] inheritance [He has for His] saints, [But verse 19:]

19 [You’ll know] the exceeding greatness of his power [toward us] who believe, [now this is the part we wanted to get to] according to the working of [the ability of] his [strength],

20 Which he [manifested or] wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the [heavenlies],

As we believe, this resurrection power which raised the Son of God is pointed at you – if you believe. According to the ability of His strength – think about it. Think about the power of God, and the power working within your heart as you believe the love He has for you. When He raised Christ, verse 21...

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come

22 [He’s] put all things under his feet, [He] gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

So here we see Christ in the grave, raised from the dead by the power of God – literally taken to heaven, set at the right hand of God, placing Christ far above all principality, power and might – Ephesians 2:1:

2 Wherein in time past [you] walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the [authority] of the air, the spirit [that’s now working] in the children of disobedience:

3 ... whom also we all had our [conduct] in times past in the lusts of [the] flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and ... mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

5 Even when we were dead in sins, [has He] quickened us together with Christ, (by [the impression of the heart, your mind is being reformed... by] grace [you’re] saved;)

6 And [He has] raised us up together, and made us sit together in [the heavenlies] in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might [show] the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace [you’re] saved through faith; [it’s] not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Now let’s read the promise, one more time, given to Laodicea in Revelation 3 – I want to include verse 20 with this... 20 and 21:

20 Behold, I stand at the door [of your heart], and knock: if any man [will] hear my voice, and open the door [it gets personal when you open the door. You can hear His voice and hear and do, but when He wants to come into the door of your heart, He is going to be a swift witness against all liars, adulterers, murderers. He’s going to come in and call His sheep by name... by your character. He’s going to reveal it to you. Let Him in the door.], I will come in to him, and [I] will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that [overcomes] will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Paul says to a group of people in Ephesians: You people who are in Christ are seated with Him now in the heavens. We know it wasn’t literal – it was happening between their ears; the same place where they are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies... blessings of the mind. Why is this significant? Because we are kings sitting in the throne of judgment – Proverbs 20, verse 8, says: If you’re a king sitting in the throne of judgment, you scatter away all evil with your eyes – they eyes of your understanding.

I would like to continue this study, and ask you to turn to Psalms 82. I want to read this Psalm, and there are so many directions to go here – having looked up the meaning of these words, recognizing I am a king sitting on the throne of judgment. Now listen to me: If you’re sitting on a bar stool, you’re a king sitting on the throne of judgment. You make the decision every moment of every day, what direction your life is going to take. It’s true we’re the “sea” – it’s true that we make wrong decisions and we live in bondage, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can be any person you want to be – that is what Psalms 82 says to me. Psalms 82, starting at verse 1:

1 ¶ God [stands] in the congregation of the mighty; he [judges] among the gods. [Now, this first word “God” stands in the congregation – that is elohiym and the last word “gods” is elohiym – it’s the same word. We’re going to come back and key on that in a few minutes. This truly is “elohiym stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.” Here’s what He says to the “gods”:]

2 How long will [you] judge [which means to vindicate or punish... it means to make a decision. How long are you going to vindicate or punish] unjustly, and accept the [face] of the wicked?

Listen, He isn’t talking about outside of you... He is talking about in your own heart. How long are you going to continue to make the wrong decisions and allow that wickedness within to manifest itself through you? How long are you going to accept the “person of wickedness, the face of wickedness” in your own heart? Now, notice what He says – let me just read some word meanings here:

3 Defend the [weak... King James put “poor.” Defend the weak] and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and [the] needy.

Let’s put this inward: The times in your life when you are stumbling and falling into sin, doing things that you know are not pleasing to God... or how about the times that you have such a big problem you can’t trust God to help you overcome? Yet, and I’ve said this before: If I were to take my problems and lay them on Jesus Christ, I think that, within a matter of time, Christ would have overcome it – why? Because He’s the Son of God and the Father loves Him, and He can overcome what I have. Well then, why can’t I overcome it? Because I’m not trusting God – why? I have trouble believing that He loves me as much as He loves Jesus, hence in those times I am “needy” and “fatherless.” Even though God wants to be my Father, what we read in Ephesians – He’s blessed me with all the spiritual blessings; He’s adopted me from the beginning to be His child through Christ.

That isn’t something I just believe like that.... Intellectually, I believe it – I want it to be in my heart. Dear God, help my unbelief. When He can move it from my head to my heart and make me whole, I don’t have the problem anymore of “needy and fatherless.” He isn’t telling you to run out and go help everyone who’s needy and fatherless – do you know what He tells you to do? Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor, how? As you love yourself. When I help strengthen the needy and fatherless times in my life, I’m loving myself. “Love” is not a feeling; “love” is an action; “love” is something you decide to do – and you don’t do it because you’re affectionate. You love because God is love, and He would have us love our enemies – He would have us love ourselves. How do I do this? Let’s read the two verses – Psalms 82:3-4:

4 Deliver the [weak] and needy: rid them out of the hand of the [wickedness within their own hearts].

Love yourself and then love others as you love yourself. It has to start in your own heart – you have to love yourself. You receive God’s love – listen, this is salvation – what we’re talking about is salvation. Number one: You learn to trust God, what He’s telling you. Number two: You learn to love me – but how do I love someone else? Learn to love yourself, and love them as you love yourself. If you can strengthen the weak and needy, the fatherless moments in your life, you’ll have an experience to give to someone else, to strengthen them also. But look at verse 5:

5 They know not, neither will they [consider]; they walk on in darkness: ... the foundations of the earth are out of course.

God has given you a new foundation – love – the love He has for you. You’ve lived your whole life without it – you’ve lived your whole life reaching, grasping for things to fill up the emptiness, and now He’s given you a new foundation. For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, and He has given you an understanding of that truth and you have a new platform to stand on – that is: The Father loves you as though He birthed you. Let that sink in. You know, the other day I was sitting at my desk and I was considering that fact, and I just had to close my eyes and grab hold of that truth – the love God has for me; that I am His child, and just pull that up to myself. And I sat at my desk – it just brought me to tears as I thought of hanging on to that... hanging on to that truth, and letting that truth permeate my person.

I am the makeup of all that I’ve believed – what is that going to do to me, do you think? What is the greatest thing I can do for myself to relieve myself of stress, worry, anger, jealousy, bitterness, envy? Answer: God’s love – God’s love heals us. Can you not sit before God, be quiet, close your eyes... cling to the truth that He is trying to reveal to the remnant church. He’s given us all the evidence in Calvary . We understand Calvary differently than every denomination – every religion in the world. We understand that God is love – we know what that means. To the world, it’s a verse; to you, it is a reality, an experience. That should begin to change your inward person and strengthen the “needy,” strengthen the “fatherless” – these weak things ready to die, and put to death the wickedness within.

Something else occurred to me: This word “fear”... when we live in fear, fear is a killer. But it dawned on me that, when we have fear, whatever is creating that fear, it’s evident it is not coming from God. Whenever someone uses a fear tactic on you, it is not coming from God. If you could only grab hold of that and realize there is nothing to fear. We’re bombarded with lies about our health – if we don’t do this, if we eat this, if we don’t go here... it’s just fear... You’ll get cancer... why, you’ll faint. You can’t eat that, you can’t go this way; you can’t do that... you’ll kill yourself. It’s just fear – God does not do that to you. I thought of my daughters playing outside, and some of these kids threatening them. God is not in that. Whenever you feel fear, stop and realize that this thought is not of God – this is from adversity. This is adversity, and when I believe it, I’m going to manifest this lie. When I believe it, my body cannot tell the difference between reality and something imagined – and when I believe what these doctors are saying to me, when I believe what these health fanatics are saying to me, I’m going to manifest this.

Why can’t we believe what God is saying to us and be free from this stuff? Do you want to love yourself? This is how you do it, and then you go out and you love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is so much deception and darkness in this world, it is unfathomable, and the more light I receive, of course, the more darkness I recognize. It is incredible where people live in this world – the understanding they have... It is incredible, the darkness.

You see the woman pushing the grocery basket down the sidewalk, dressed in rags... you see the woman in the new sports car, all decked out – they’re both in absolute darkness, they’re just handling it differently. God stands in the congregation of the mighty – He is standing among the gods. Well, who is that? Well, the people He’s describing here are not understanding, yet He’s still calling them “gods,” because we all live what we believe. You are a free moral agent – you’re going to manifest what you have retained from the world. You’re manifesting your beliefs. What is wrong with you? Recognize that only the love of God can straighten this out. Only the love of God can give to me what I need to succeed spiritually, physically in this world – only the love of God can set me free. Psalms 82 – let’s read verse 5 again:

5 They know not, neither will they understand [or neither will they consider – that’s a verb, not a noun. It isn’t the noun “understand.” It’s the verb “consider.” They know not, neither will they consider. What happens when I “consider”? That means I stop and I weigh it – I think about it. What does that mean? I’m abiding; I’m listening. I stop and consider it: I weigh it between me and my Savior. They don’t know; they don’t take the time to consider, hence...]; they walk ... in darkness: ... the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 ¶ I have said, Ye are gods; ... all of you are children of the most High. [Who? All of you. All of you are gods – you’re all children of the most High. From the foundation of the world, He says, I predestinated you to adoption to Myself through My Son. I want you all in my family. I’m going to gather you all up – everybody who’s in Christ; I’m going to gather you all up. If you can believe it, I’ll bless you with every blessing of the mind. I’ve said you’re My children – ye are gods. But look at what He says – verse 7:]

What does He mean – like one of the princes? Well, hold your place, look at Isaiah, chapter 1, let’s start at verse 21 – now get this, and listen to the words so we can connect this back to Psalms 82: You’re going to die like the princes... well, how did they die?

21 ¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

22 [Your] silver [or your desire has] become dross [think about it], [your] wine [is] mixed with water: [Think about it.]

23 [Your] princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one [loves] gifts, and [follows] after rewards: [now look...] they judge not the fatherless, neither ... the cause of the widow [comes] unto them.

What’s a “widow”? Well, somebody who’s “husband” has died. What about “fatherless”? Somebody who doesn’t have a father. Well, He is saying in Psalms 82: Everything is out of course here – all the foundation is out of course. I’ve said you’re all gods; I’ve said you’re my children – all of you, but you’re dying like Adam and like the princes. You’re dying like one of them. They’re not judging themselves – their wine is mixed with water – their desires are becoming polluted. What if I looked at “wine” as understanding from God, the true wine of heaven, but then He says, “Well, you’ve mixed it with water.” What about the “water” of my own understanding? My desires are not pure anymore; my wine is mixed with water; I’m not judging the fatherless and the widows. He says in Psalms 82, you’re dying like the princes.

When I think of the word “god,” do you know what word comes to my mind? Eternal, strong, mighty, powerful – that’s what I think of when I think of that word “god.” What do you think of? Is that how you see yourself? That’s what He calls you. How can you be a child of God and not be a god yourself? You have a free will... you have a free will to be in Jesus Christ... let that man teach you – He is your Brother. He is trying to reveal the love His Father has for you, making you a child of God; blessing you with every spiritual blessing in your heavens – strengthening you, letting you live in the ability of God’s strength. Consider it – and yet, we stumble all over ourselves: We can’t quit eating the wrong thing, we keep gaining weight, we’re not healthy, we can’t get it straight, we can’t overcome – why? Well, maybe our “silver,” maybe our desires are wrong. Maybe we need to go to the Lord and let Him straighten out the crooked places, and make us like unto Himself. The true health message is: Listen to Him – listen to Him and be made whole.

Now, I’m going to shift gears on you a little bit, and take this study in another direction, but bringing with us what the Lord has revealed to us so far. Psalms 82, verse 1:

1 ¶ God [430] [stands] in the congregation of the mighty [410]; he [judges] among the gods [430].

This word “mighty” is [410] in the Strong’s – it is the root of this word elohiym and eloahh. “Eloahh” is singular; elohiym is plural – “mighty” is the root of those words. So when you read “elohiym,” King James has put “God” or “gods.” It means the mighty ones or the mighty one.

1 ¶ God [430] [or the Mighty One stands] in the congregation of the mighty [410]; he [is judging] among the [mighty ones] [430]. [... and He asks:]

2 How long [are you going to] judge [in an unjust way], and allow this wicked face within to keep coming up]?

So we see that “elohiym” or “the mighty ones” are people – we’re all children of the Most High. Well, let’s take this back to Psalms 8, because there is something that comes out of this that opens up the New Testament in a mighty way – Psalms 8, starting at verse 1:

1 ¶ O LORD our Lord, how excellent is [Your] name in all the earth! who [has] set [Your] glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings [have You] ordained strength because of [Your] enemies [I would say the enemy within], [so] that [You might] still the enemy and the avenger. [Remember how you come to Christ as a child, and it’s out of the mouth of babes and sucklings He has ordained strength. You have got to become like a child to believe the truth of His love – to still the enemy within.]

3 ¶ When I consider [Your] heavens, the work of [Your faith – Your] fingers, [and] the moon [the writings – the scriptures] and the stars [the people of God], which [You’ve] ordained;

4 What is man, that [You’re] mindful of him? and the son of man, that [You visit] him?

5 For [You have] made him a little lower than the angels, and [have] crowned him with glory and honour.

Now let’s take a closer look at these last two verses we’ve read. First of all, in verse 5: You’ve made Him lower than the angels – that word is not “angel” as we’ve read before as messenger (as is an angel with wings). That is the very word elohiym that we just read in Psalms 82, and I want you to reconsider what this verse means when he says, “You’ve made Him lower than the “elohiym” – the mighty ones... because we saw in Psalms 82, he’s talking about people, and when we take this to the New Testament it’s going to be even more clear to you. He isn’t talking about “angels” – spiritual beings flying around – he’s talking about people. But first, let me show you something in the verse above this – verse 4:

This word “man,” the root of it means feebleness, weakness – and if you look up this word “man” in a Strong’s, they’ll put “mortal man,” because it means feeble man.

4 What is [feeble] man, that [You’re] mindful of him? and the son of [Adam], that [You visit] him?

What does it mean “to visit”? It means to come near, to come near a person, to help that person, to lead that person, to guide that person. The Lord can only come near you, can only visit you when you recognize your weakness, your being a son of Adam. Or are you going to be a “mighty one,” where you don’t need any help like he described in Psalms 82? You’re not judging the weak and fatherless – you’re not considering. You’re walking in darkness, your earth is out of course – the foundation of your earth is out of course. You see, that’s a “mighty one” – I think of a Pharisee. But you know... the guy on the bar stool is just like the Pharisee – he doesn’t need any help; he’s going to do it himself. The only difference between the guy on the bar stool and the Pharisee is that the Pharisee is using the excuse of the Bible, trying to find life. The guy on the bar stool doesn’t want anything to do with it – he’s going to take care of his life himself. He is a “mighty one” – he’s in control of his own destiny. But when you become “feeble” before God and recognize I am a son of Adam, He can come near you and help you.

Remember the beatitudes – blessed are who? They’re poor in spirit – they don’t know it all; they’re mourning for where they are; they are meek; they’re hungering and thirsting after God’s understanding. See what he’s saying? When you’re in that place, you’re manifesting: I recognize I’m feeble – I recognize I’m a son of Adam. This is who He can come near, and it’s that feeble man and the son of Adam that He has made you, to be lower than the mighty ones. He doesn’t mean you’re a human being lower than an angel... He means you’re a human being recognizing your weakness, and you’re lower than these people He described in Psalms 82, trying to do it all yourself.

4 What is [feeble] man, that [You’re] mindful of him? and the son of [Adam], that [You’re visiting] him?

5 [You’ve] made him ... lower than the [mighty ones], [You have] crowned him [the feeble man – the man who knows his weakness... You’ve crowned him] with glory and honour. [Blessed are these who are poor in spirit... blessed are these who mourn... blessed are these who hunger and thirst to know God’s way, because God will crown you with glory and honor.]

6 [You’ve made] him to have dominion over the works of [your] hands; [You’ve] put [everything] under his feet:

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, [everything that passes] through the ... the seas.

9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is [Your character, is Your] name in all the earth!

It is to the person who can say I’m weak, that Christ can come in and make strong. Father, I cannot do this myself. Father, I’m open to You...help me see the problem. Give me power and strength to overcome. Purify my desires...I want Your understanding completely. That is the fellow He will crown with glory and honor – someone who is “less than” in his understanding than a “mighty one” in the earth.

So this Psalm, Psalms 8, is all over the New Testament, in some key places. One of them is in Hebrews 2 – let’s turn to Hebrews 2, and I’m going to begin reading at verse 1. Now, I just pray your heart be open to receive as we learn something new about our Savior – as we begin to discern the scriptures in a more accurate way – Hebrews 2, verse 1:

1 ¶ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time [we should slip away].

2 For if the word spoken by angels [came to be] stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Now remember, when I read in Psalms 8, this word “angel” wasn’t angel – it was elohiym ... it was “mighty ones.” Now, let me you ask you this question: Do I let the Greek interpret the Hebrew, or let Hebrew interpret the Greek? Several times in the scriptures, I have found where the King James will take a New Testament verse and take those words, pick them up and go put them on top of the Hebrew – when in reality I think the writer of the New Testament, being a Hebrew, was trying to give the Hebrew concept using Greek words. Then we come along with the King James Bible and tack English on top of that, trying to understand it. One example is this word “mercy seat.” When you go to the Old Testament, it’s simply the word “lid,” but because Paul, in the New Testament, included the word “mercy” – the “mercy seat” – the King James picked it up and put it in the Old Testament. Well, in the Old Testament where it says “mercy seat,” the word “mercy” isn’t in there, but they’re taking it from Paul’s writings.

I think that’s what they’ve done many times with the word “angel.” I know Paul uses the Greek word for angel – and they picked that up and applied it to Psalms 8, instead of putting the “the mighty ones, the gods,” they put “angels” – He’s lower than the “angels.” Remember Proverbs 25: It is God’s glory, it is His character to hide a word; it’s the character of a king to search it out. What are we? By God’s grace, we’re kings – let’s go back to Hebrews, verse 3:

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at ... first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, ... with signs and wonders, and [different] miracles, and gifts of [Holy Spirit], according to his own will?

5 ¶ For unto the angels [Well, I’m not going to say “angel.” Unto the mighty ones has] he not put in subjection the world to come, [that we’re speaking of]. [He means the people he defines in Psalms 82, who are not listening... who don’t know His love; who don’t realize they’re His children.]

6 But [someone] in a certain place testified, saying [and he’s quoting Psalms 8], What is man, that [You’re] mindful of him? [and] the son of man, that [You visit] him? [So let me just read in this Greek what we read in the Hebrew... What is feeble man that you’re mindful of him, or the son of Adam that you’re visiting him?]

7 [You made] him ... lower than the [mighty ones]; [You crowned] him with glory and honour, and [You] set him over the works of [Your] hands:

Do you see the concept Paul is making, is putting here? The “mighty ones” are not being put over the world to come – over things now, and he’s using Psalms 8 as his proof – it’s given to those who are humble before God. Let me read verse 7 again:

7 [You made] him ... lower than the [mighty ones]; [You crowned] him with glory and honour, and [You] set him over the works of [Your] hands:

8 [You] put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that [isn’t] put under him. But [right] now we [don’t] see all things ... under him [under that weak and feeble person – the humble person. Verse 9:].

9 But we [do] see Jesus, [He] was made ... lower than the [mighty ones] for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Let me paraphrase verse 9: Right now we see Jesus, who was humbled before God, not like the Pharisees, not like the mighty ones... so that He could suffer death by God’s grace. See, let’s look at this verse: For the suffering of death, that He by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. We see Him crowned with glory – what does that mean? That means He went to His death following an impression of the heart. Who’s that like? That’s like Abraham – the father of our faith. He took his son to his death by means of the impression of the heart; Jesus Christ entered into the suffering of death by means of God’s grace. He was made lower than these “mighty ones,” that He might accomplish death by means of grace. Had He not been listening, He would have never done that.

Do you know what that means, that He went to His death by means of grace? That means our Heavenly Father was leading Him to do that! What does that mean? That God was willing to move His Son into death that He might say to us, I love you. Christ didn’t go to that cross on His own – He went to that cross by means of grace. He was being led of God to do this, and we see Him crowned with glory and honor because He was made lower than the mighty ones, that He might suffer death by means of grace, and taste death for every man. He tasted death for every man – He went to His death and tasted death... He experienced death for you, that you might take that truth and say, my God loves me, and cling to the love of God. Hebrews 2, verse 10:

10 ¶ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons [to] glory, to make the captain of their salvation [complete] through [suffering].

It became Him – the Father – to bring you to glory by the Captain of our salvation going through suffering. Remember chapter 5 of Hebrews – though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience – how? Through the things which He suffered. And being made perfect, He came to be the author of eternal salvation unto all them who will hear Him. He is that prophet of Deuteronomy 18. If you will hear Him, He will make you perfect – verse 11:

11 For both he that [sanctifies] and they who are sanctified are all [one family – they’re all one]: [this is why] he [isn’t] ashamed to call them brethren,

Who? Well, these people who are sanctified – what’s “sanctified”? Made holy – what does that mean? Well, they’re listening... they’ve entered into a “holy place.” Well, He’s going to bring you into the holy of holies, but you are His brother when you begin to listen, and you are a priest and you enter into the Holy Place , and start learning, gleaning, eating the bread off that table. Now he’s going to prove to you that we are brethren with Christ – verse 12:

12 Saying, I will declare [Your] name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church [I’ll] sing praise unto [you]. [OK... here’s the next one:]

13 ... [I’ll] put my trust in him [comma, here’s the next one] Behold I and the children ... God [has] given me.

Well, what does it mean, I’ll put my trust in Him – how does that make Him your Brother? Because that’s what you do. You see, I’ll put my trust in Him, in God, meaning: All of us are brethren. I am like you – I am feeble man; I am a son of Adam – I’m not one of the “mighty ones” whose earth is out of course. I, too, will put my trust in Him – we’re brethren. Verse 14:

14 ¶ Forasmuch then as the children [of God] are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the [the flesh and blood]; [so] that through death he [would render inactive the one who had the strength] of death, that is, [diablos – by means of death, He renders inactive the one who used death against you – the strength of death, diablos];

15 And deliver [these people] who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to [the] bondage [of dead works and sin].

We lived in fear of how we were going to please God – well, He died on that cross to set us free from that fear. There’s nothing to fear anymore – you stand holy and without blame as you understand His love. He delivers you by means of His death. God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son – delivering me from fear. He knew all along that I’m who I am – I would do what I would do... He knew all along. He’s given me the death of His Son to remove from me these character traits that are not pleasing. As I open up, He’s blessing me with all the blessings of the mind – verse 16:

16 For [truly] he [didn’t take] on him the nature of [these mighty ones]; ... he took on him [that of] the seed of Abraham.

What does that mean? Well, I used to read it and I thought he meant angels flying around in heaven... He didn’t take on the nature of angels, He took on the nature of humanity – well, that isn’t what it means. Both the “mighty ones” and “the seed of Abraham” are humanity. One represents the ones who don’t need God; the seed of Abraham recognizes that they need God and they are listening to God, and being led by means of “grace” – the voice of God is leading them. Christ didn’t take on Him the nature of the Pharisee, but that of the seed of Abraham – humble and meek before God.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren [who were those who were sanctified. He’s like you in all ways, in every way...], that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 ... in that he himself [has] suffered being tempted, he is able to [help those who] are tempted.

Let’s look at the fellow on the bar stool again: Can he help that guy who’s being tempted? Let’s look at the Pharisee: Can he help that guy who’s being tempted? No – because they’re not listening. Think about it: He helps them, His brethren, because they’re listening. Remember, He went into cities He could there do no mighty works and He marveled at their unbelief. Yes, He can help anybody; no, He cannot help you if you don’t listen – the ultimate sin – blaspheming the Holy Spirit. You put yourself in a place where He cannot help you. So you’ll see the Pharisee, every time, dive for the book – give me a verse – why? Well, life is in the book – no it isn’t. Life is in the Man who wrote the book.

Let’s go to the gospel of John, chapter 10, and let’s read again where John brings in this concept from Psalms 82:

28 ... I give unto them eternal life [which is knowledge of the Father and the Son]; and [they’ll] never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them [to] me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

32 [And] Jesus answered ..., [well] Many good works have I [shown] you from my Father; for which of [these are you stoning me]?

33 The Jews answered ..., [well], For a good work [we’re not stoning you]; but for blasphemy; and because [you], being a man, [are making yourself a “mighty one” – a god].

34 Jesus answered ..., [Isn’t] it written in your law [Psalms 82, verse 6], I said, [You’re] gods? [Stop – what did He leave out? Well, if you go read Psalms 82:6, He left out “you’re all children of the Most High.” Haven’t I said you’re gods... You’re all children of the Most High.]

35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified [you see, “sanctified by words” – in other words, the word of God has come to me, too], and sent into the world, [You’re blaspheming]; because I said, I am [a] Son of [the Mighty One – I am a Son of the] God?

It’s obvious when we read these texts, that Christ is applying Psalms 82 to people, calling them mighty ones – calling them, as the King James put it – “gods.” It’s obvious He is talking about people, hard hearted, who will not listen to the Lord and He says: “You’re accusing me of blaspheming because the word of God is come to Me, too.” He said: “We’re all children of the Most High, and I’m blaspheming because I’m claiming that promise?” Think about it. The promises that we have talked about through this study are “blasphemy” to many of the churches today. The place we find ourselves in, in Jesus Christ, is no different than the first century church. We’re all children of the Most High – we’re all children of the Most High... We all are “gods, mighty ones.” When you humble yourself before God, recognizing that you are a son of Adam, you become a “mighty one” in a different way, don’t you? You will receive all the blessings of the mind – you become truly a mighty one in Jesus Christ.

Let’s turn to Revelation, chapter 7 – I want to close this study, but I want to take this understanding that the Lord is giving us from Psalms 8 and Psalms 82... and recognizing this word “angel” isn’t always a being flying around in outer space with blonde hair.

1 ¶ ... after these things I saw four [mighty ones, or “earthly” mighty ones – what if I just said the mighty ones of the earth – the people who are not listening to God? They were...] standing on the four corners of the earth, holding [or restraining] the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Let me tell you, in so far as I understand today, what that means: That whatever church I go in – Church of Christ , Baptist, Assembly of God, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness – everyone tries to restrain the other winds from blowing. Everyone wants you to think that they have the answers – they don’t want you to listen to anyone else. The “four mighty ones” standing on the four corners of the earth – the earthly mighty ones restrain the wind. Verse 2:

2 And I saw another [mighty one, this one was] ascending from the east [he is mighty in a sanctified way. The “east” is self – he is “ascending into the heavens” – away from self], [he had] the seal of the living God [the Holy Spirit – he possessed a mind separated from the world]: and he cried with a loud voice to the [earthly mighty ones], to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, [Because that’s what they’re doing. When they try to restrain the winds, they’re going to restrain all of it, including what comes from God Himself... and they are hurting these people by not letting them hear something different.]

3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Now, here we have the true message being given by someone whose mind has been separated from God... by God – separated from the world by God, saying: Don’t restrain the winds until we’ve had a chance to give them the truth as we understand it from God. He seals a 144,000. Revelation 14 – let’s start at verse 1:

1 ¶ ... I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on ... mount Sion , and with him an hundred [and forty four] thousand, having [the] Father's [character] in their foreheads.

2 ... I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 ... they sung ... a new song [they had a new experience] before the throne, and before the four [living creatures], and the elders: and no man could learn that [experience except] the hundred and forty ... four thousand, [who] were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled [by the different mindsets anymore, including the one starting from the womb]; ... they are virgins. [They] follow the Lamb [wherever he goes because they listen – they’re virgins because God has brought forth the man child in their understanding]. [They’re] redeemed from among men, [they’re] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. [They’re the first ones to reach a complete understanding of the love of God.]

5 ... in their mouth [there was no] guile [they have no reason to lie to themselves about themselves anymore – why?]: [they’re] without fault before the throne of God [and they know God is not condemning them]. [Please understand that there’s no reason to fear. Let the Lord deal with who you are, because He isn’t blaming you – He’s trying to help you.]

6 ¶ And I saw another [messenger] fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, [remember from the past studies what that is: See study THE WATERS WITHIN, chapter 5]

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, [the] earth, ... the sea, and the fountains of waters. [Verse 8...]

Point being: The message from the 144,000 is seen in “three” angels – a complete message. It isn’t earthly completeness – they’re flying in the heavens. They have the everlasting gospel to preach – from the foundation of the world, He has wanted us to be His children through Jesus Christ – the everlasting good news. It’s from eternity; it is to eternity that He wants us to be His children. The hope of His calling is that you would understand that you’re His child and stop believing the lies of the world. Back to Revelation 14 – I want to read verse 14 now:

14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Now, why is this significant? You’re looking at the first resurrection – this is what’s getting ready to take place, and the Son of God is like who? Like the Son of Man – what if I said the Son of Adam – but He has a crown. That’s why He has that crown, because He is humbled before God... and I realized that all through the New Testament, Christ refers to Himself as the Son of Man. That has taken on new meaning for me. He is humbled before God – He is recognizing His weakness as a person... that He is not the living God. His Father is the only true and living God. He is the Son of Man – we are brethren. He is wanting to heal us all in the love of His Father.

This gospel message, truly, is beautiful – it truly is healing, and I pray that healing take place in each one of us that we might glorify God.