PERTAINING TO THE CONSCIENCE
FD01-0905
scottSTANLEY
(For purposes of clarity, all scriptures presented have been edited with the author’s paraphrase as indicated by brackets [ ].)
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun,
and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days,
in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people,
and healeth the stroke of their wound.
Isaiah 30:26
I wanted to take a few minutes to simply record some ideas, concepts the Lord has given me since the last study I made which was called “For Aaron and His Sons.” And I wanted to share these things because it’s as if the Lord is giving me closure on the concept of “salvation.” It’s another plateau of understanding that God has revealed, and I can’t help but think it’s in preparation of “Pentecost,” that day of the rushing, mighty wind. So, to begin with, let me just simply say that I was witnessing to some people the other day about the death of Christ, and I said that there wasn’t a verse in the Bible that said Jesus died so we could be forgiven – and I was challenged on that. Now no one offered a verse, but what was offered to me was: What about the animal sacrifices… what do those mean? So, in answering that and in studying it out, the next day the Lord began to reveal some new things to me. I would like to begin reading from Matthew 18, and this deals with a parable of the unforgiving servant – I feel like when we read these, that we have read them so many times before, and yet, for me, there was a sentence in here I had totally missed. Matthew 18:21:
Matthew 18:21-35
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how [often] shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22Jesus [said], I say not unto [you], Until seven times: but, seventy times seven.
23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay [you] all.
27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay [you] all.
30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31So when his [servants] saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32Then his lord, after he had called him, said, O thou wicked servant, I forgave [you] all that debt, because [you desired] me:
33 [Should] not [you] also have had compassion on [your] fellowservant, even as I had pity on [you]?
34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if [you] from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Now this parable is told by Christ, painting a picture of the Father and His relationship toward us. It’s interesting that, in verse 32, the statement is made: “I forgave you all that debt because you desired me.” Question: Who paid the Master’s debt? No one – No one paid the debt, it was simply forgiven. Why was it forgiven? Verse 32: “Because you desired me.”
Now, when I saw that, it helped me see a bigger God, a more loving God – Someone who doesn’t need to have the debt paid – for me, proving that when Christ died, it was not to pay my debt to God. He died for another reason, and it is the explanation of why the sacrifices which pointed to the Savior. Why the sacrifices? Why did the Lord want these sacrifices put to death? Well, for that answer, turn to Hebrews, chapters 9 and 10 – let’s just start with 10.
CONSCIENCE OF SIN
As I read this, beginning with verse 1, I hope you have your Bibles open and you’re reading this along with me:
Hebrews 10:1-2
1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Now, one thing that just leaps out at me is the fact that the sacrifice was for the person offering it, and you can read this whole chapter, or back up and start at 8; read 8, 9, 10 – you will see nothing in here that suggests the sacrifice was for God. See, in verse 1 of Hebrews 10, the bottom of it, it makes the comer perfect. Verse 2: Well, wouldn’t it have ceased to be offered then, because the worshipper once purged… You see, there was something about the sacrifice that was to affect the one offering it; it was not to affect God – and that was the point I wanted to make to the people I was witnessing to. The sacrifice of Christ is not for God, it’s for us.
But, the second thing about what we’ve read in Hebrews 10 is to be purged and have no more conscience of sin. You see, if you back up to Chapter 9, Paul, who I believe wrote Hebrews, uses a phrase, begins to use a phrase which is found first of all in verse 9 – He says (this is Hebrews 9:9): Which was figure, or a type, for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service complete, as pertaining to the conscience. Now here, Hebrews 9:9, is saying the same thing – that the sacrifices of animals did not affect the one offering it the way it should; it could not make you perfect – but here, he says as pertaining to the conscience. What does he mean “as pertaining to the conscience,” to be perfect as pertaining to the conscience? Well, I want you to back to up Hebrews 8, and this is where he first mentions the Everlasting Covenant in the book of Hebrews, where he defines what it is in verse 8 – Hebrews 8:8:
Hebrews 8:8-11
8For finding fault with them, he [said], Behold, the days come, saith
the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the
day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the
10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Now the reason this is significant is because Paul quotes this again in chapter 10 but, when he does, there is a point he is trying to make. If you’ll look at Hebrews 10 where he says, verse 14:
Hebrews 10:14
14For by one offering he [has] perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
And remember, he has defined what that “perfection” is – let’s go ahead and read Hebrews 10:1:
Hebrews 10:1
1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers perfect.
And if you back up to 9, he mentions “perfect, as pertaining to the conscience”; in verse 2 of Hebrews 10, he says: “For then would they not have ceased to be offered because the worshippers, once purged, would have had no more conscience of sin.” So, when you come to verse 14, and he talks about “perfection,” being made perfect, he is talking about as pertaining to the conscience. What does he mean? Well, notice in verse 15:
Hebrews 10:15-18
15Whereof [or That is why] the Holy [Spirit] also is a witness to us [of this perfecting of the conscience]: for after that he had said before, [Now he’s quoting the Everlasting Covenant again]
16This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Now remember, the sacrifice was to affect the person bringing it, not God, and he has just said, God says, I won’t remember their sin and iniquity anymore; verse 18: Where you have remission of these, of sin and iniquity – you see? The sacrifice affects the person bringing it, to the point of remission of sin. And God, making the statement: I will give them understanding, and I won’t remember their sin and iniquity anymore – well, have you ever looked up the word “conscience”? This word that King James has translated “conscience,” the Strong’s number is [4893]; it’s first used in John, chapter 8, verse 9, where Christ writes on the ground – the woman is caught in adultery, and He writes on the ground, and these men are convicted by their own conscience. That word means “joint knowledge” – it is a Greek word, and it means “joint knowledge”… joint knowledge. Now, if we’re talking about your conscience, “joint knowledge” – that implies at least two individuals (joint). Who would the two people be? Well, one has to be you because it’s inside your mind, joint knowledge – the other one is God. “Conscience” is when God, His understanding, comes together with your understanding… conscience; joint knowledge.
Now the Lord says, in the Everlasting Covenant: If you’ll let Me explain to you My law, I’ll write on your heart, I’ll put into your mind, the understanding of My law… Then I won’t remember your sin and iniquity anymore. Well, what does that do to the conscience? Remember “conscience” is joint knowledge – you and God – and if God is saying I’m not going to remember it anymore, then what does that do to the conscience? Suddenly, you have peace, don’t you – because He is not pricking your conscience with these things in your life. He says: I’m not going to remember them anymore… See, how can He say that to us? Because if you come to the place where you’re listening to Him, to the point of allowing Him to explain His law and write it on your heart and mind – the word “mind” is [1271]; it’s actually understanding – if you let Him give you understanding of His law, if you get that far with Him, then He can be pretty sure that once you understand it, you will lay this down too – and He can step back and say, Okay, I don’t remember it anymore either.
Now I want to give you a personal testimony, and it’s something that I’ve
mentioned in the past, but I realize that perfecting me as pertaining to the
conscience is what the Lord was doing when He revealed to me the anger I
acquired through my parent’s divorce. Three years old, parents are split, and I
cannot be with them together – and I developed an anger. And throughout my life,
the Lord showed me it was that anger moving me, doing the things that I
did. The Lord revealed to me that because it was my anger and I didn’t
understand it, I didn’t create it – that He could not condemn me for anything I
had done in my life. Hence, He perfected me as pertaining to my conscience – He
brought me to the place to help me understand that He isn’t condemning any of us
for those things. And then He revealed to me, in John 3, the condemnation comes
when He offers you light and you love your darkness more than the light –
that is what brings condemnation. But the sins that are happening
throughout your life, and the iniquity, the distortion of your understanding,
you don’t understand – and He know that, and He is not condemning you for that,
you see. And the Lord had to help me see the death of His Son on the cross. When
the Lord gave me understanding of
THREE THINGS
Now, being made perfect as pertaining to the conscience is only one of three things that needs to happen to us. First of all, the Lord has to purge us from “dead works” – now, what do I mean by “dead works”? Doing things, literally doing things like “keeping the law” to try to be right with God. The first thing that has to happen, you’ve got to realize that sin and iniquity is deep in your heart, and just because you go to church on a certain day, or eat a certain way, or do any of these things – you know, keeping that literal law – that is not affecting the sin in your heart; that isn’t helping you. I just call those “dead works” – He has to purge your conscience from dead works. Then, He has to perfect you as pertaining to the conscience, show you that He has never condemned you for the sin in your life and, because of that, if you’re going to be rid of sin, then it’s going to take an understanding from God, concerning who He is, and helping Him reveal to you who you are. The last thing that needs to be perfected is, I would say, the way we’ve always looked at “perfection.” You know, if I were to go to a Baptist or someone, and ask them about the word “perfection,” the way they would see it is that you never sin again. That is the third purging that we need to have, and that takes place on the Day of Atonement.
Purging you from dead works; perfecting you as pertaining to the conscience, and bringing you to the place where the “scapegoat,” or Azazel, or you could call him “the goat god,” is led away. You see, the Lord can reveal to you that He isn’t condemning you for your sin, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to be deceived by adversity again. You’ve got to come to the place where you can look at diablos, the devil, and say: You will deceive me no more at all. But, in order to get there, you have to have the “key of the abyss,” the understanding of your mind, and you’ve got to have the “chain.” And I see the Lord trying to show us that that literal “keeping of the law,” He’s got to purge you from dead works; He’s got to perfect you as pertaining to the conscience, and He’s has to bring you to the place where the goat god is led away and never brought back into the camp – where you are set free from this thing forever.
I think that purging you from dead works is what Paul is talking about in Hebrews 9, and I want to share this with you – starting at verse 11:
Hebrews 9:11-12
11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more [complete] tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12Neither [through] the blood of goats and calves, but [through] his own blood he entered in once into the [holies], having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Now how did He obtain eternal redemption? He died, allowing the Father to manifest that He loves us as much as He loves His only birthed Son. Christ, through His death, obtains an eternal “cutting loose” – He will cut us loose from the lie, if we can believe it; if we can see it and believe it. Verse 13:
Hebrews 9:13-14
13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, [sanctifies] to the purifying of the flesh:
14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Because of this, because He purges your conscience from dead works, because He
has given His life to show you the true meaning of the law – and let me say
this, before I read this: The promise of the Everlasting Covenant is the Lord
says I will write in their heart and on their mind My law. God began to
give us understanding of the law at
Hebrews 9:15
15[Because of this, he now mediates the new covenant… meaning He isn’t talking to God in your behalf; He’s talking to you in God’s behalf; He’s giving you that understanding, He is mediating the new covenant – Because of this, he is the mediator of the new covenant…]
Now, I want to read the way the King James has written this – “…that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first [covenant], they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Now, I want to read a more literal translation of that: Because of the new covenant, He is the mediator so that death, having taken place into the redeeming payment of transgressions under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. What does it mean? Well, what are the “transgressions” under the first covenant? I think it points back to verse 14, to your “dead works” – thinking that you have to go to church on a certain day; thinking you have to eat a certain way; thinking all of these literal laws have to be fulfilled – those are your dead works. He purges you from those dead works. The words “by means of” are [1096], which means to come to be. You see, He is the mediator of the new covenant, that death having come to be into the cutting loose of transgressions under the first covenant. You see, His death cuts you loose from that in your own mind when He gives you the true understanding of God, and the true understanding of sin in the human heart. He sets you free from the bondage that you have put yourself in under that law. The second thing is – He shows you you’ve never been condemned; the third thing is He will deliver your heart from ever sinning again.
HEBREWS 10:1-25
Now let’s go back to Hebrews 10:1, and I want to continue sharing some of the things the Lord has revealed to me. I want to start reading at verse 1:
Hebrews 10:1-2
1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered [continually year by year, they can never…] make the comers [complete]. [Now we know he means “complete” according to the conscience.]
2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers once [their conscience is] purged [would] have had no more conscience of sins.
You see, once you understand the death of the Son of God, once you understand why He died – it isn’t the fact that He died, it’s why He died. He removes the conscience of sin; He purges you. Verse 3:
Hebrews 10:3
3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance [of sins] every year.
Just the opposite happens when you follow the literal – it’s the spiritual meaning of it that sets you free. Verse 4:
Hebrews 10:4
4For it [isn’t] possible that the blood of bulls and of goats [could take away sin from the person].
And notice, none of this, again, applies to God – it’s always the person He’s dealing with, the person offering the sacrifice. Verse 5:
Hebrews 10:5
5Wherefore [or, That is why] when [Christ came] into the world, he [said], Sacrifice and offering [of animals you would] not, but a body [you have] prepared me:
And it’s interesting too that the second part of that verse: …a body you have prepared me, is not in your Bible – it’s in the Septuagint. If you’ll get a copy of the Septuagint and read Psalm 40, you will see that they have included “a body you have prepared me.” Verse 6:
Hebrews 10:6-9
6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin [you’ve] had no pleasure.
7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the [heading] of the book it is written of me,) [I come] to do [your] will, O God.
8Above [in verse 5] when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin [you would] not, neither [had] pleasure [in them]; [they were]offered by the law;
9Then [he said], Lo, I come to do [your] will, O God. He [takes] away [that first covenant; He takes away the animal sacrifices], that he may establish the second [covenant].
The teaching of God’s law – remember that is how that covenant reads: I
will put in their heart; I will write into their minds; I
will give them understanding of My law. And let me tell you this – It was at
Hebrews 10:10
10By which will we are sanctified [our minds are set apart from the world] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
When you can understand
Hebrews 10:11-13
11And every priest [stands] daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins [from the person offering it]:
12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13From [this point forward He expects] his enemies be made his footstool.
And remember, His “enemies” are the lies and iniquities we carry. The lies and iniquities that we carry are our “enemies” – the enemy is within, and our enemies are His enemies. He expects you to overcome the lie and the distortions of thinking, by means of His death on that cross – verse 14:
Hebrews 10:14-18
14[Because] by one offering he [has] perfected for ever [the ones whose minds are set apart by it].
15[That is why] the Holy [Spirit] also is witness: for after he had said,
16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their [understanding] will I write them;
17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18[Where you have remission of sin and iniquity], there is no more offering for sin.
Christ expects His enemies to be made His footstool, and the Holy Spirit bears witness again when it defines the new covenant. If the Lord can give you the understanding of the law, He will no longer remember your sin and iniquity; hence, you are perfected as pertaining to the conscience. He has revealed to you why you sin, and He is helping you understand your heart so that you can overcome sin completely. Now look at verse 19:
Hebrews 10:19-20
19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the [holies, or the sanctuary, in Jesus’ blood],
20By a new and living way, which he consecrated [to get us through the veil], that is to say, his flesh;
His flesh is the “new and living way,” not the death of animals – the death of animals won’t get you through the veil. What is the “veil”? Confusion about God – the death of animals will not break through that confusion about God… You have to see the death of a human being to be convinced of God’s love, and seeing the death, realizing that really was His only birthed Son – that was the only begotten Son of God – who God allowed to die to convince you of His love. Now He has raised Him from the dead, verse 21:
Hebrews 10:21
21And having an high priest over the house of God;
A “high priest,” someone who can give you the healing; this is the Son of God – He can give you the healing message. Verse 22:
Hebrews 10:22
22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [or, of what God is teaching us], having our hearts [taught away from] an evil conscience, and [the symbol of it] our bodies washed with pure water.
You see, that is what “baptism” or immersion in water is a picture of – the problem is that we were never given the true understanding of the death of Christ. For you to be “immersed into His death,” you’re taught concerning His death, but remember, when you look at the cross from the “earth,” you see the definition of sin; when you look at it from the “heavens,” you see the love of our Heavenly Father toward humanity. From the “earth,” you look up and you see darkness, sin – the “old man,” the death of the old man – from the “heavens” looking down, you see perfect obedience, the only begotten Son of God forsaken for humanity, to reveal to humanity that God loves them as if He’d birthed them. Again, I love this verse 22 in Hebrews 10: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of what God is teaching of faith. Let us draw near to God; let Him sprinkle your heart, teach you, to turn you away from that evil conscience. Verse 23:
Hebrews 10:23-25
23Let us hold fast the profession of our [hope] without wavering; ([because] he is faithful that promised;)
24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as [you] see the day approaching.
I have to say here: If you want to meet with people, that’s great – but it would be wonderful if you could meet with people who are on this level of understanding with you, to provoke you, to move you to love… to understand the love of the Father, and to manifest that love to others, you see: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Let me tell you something: The day is approaching; that day is soon to come that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come and get us and take us home. The next step is Pentecost, and that is what I want to deal with in the next portion of this study.
MORE ABOUT PENTECOST
In the last study, I spoke a little bit about “Pentecost” – that is the next
feast, I know, for me. You know, all of these “feasts” listed in Leviticus 23
are simply inward events that take place to the believer. As we march
forward in our understanding, and we grow in understanding, those “feasts” are
just pictures of experiences that we go through. That’s why I say, for me – I
can only speak for myself; all of us are individuals, all of us are on a
different level of understanding – and just as we entered into “Passover,” when
we cried out and gave our heart to the Lord and asked Him into our lives, sought
Him for forgiveness… You see, why did you do that? Because someone told
you about the love of God; someone told you about serving God; somehow, through
your life, you gained an understanding about the cross, about the Son of God.
Even though it was shallow; even though, since that time, you have learned so
much more, you knew enough to make “Passover” a reality in your heart. You knew
enough, even though it wasn’t much, you knew enough to cry out to God, and that
“Passover” became a reality to you – and God pulled you out of “
Well, since the last tape I made, the Lord has continued to increase my understanding, and I feel like I’m still waiting on Pentecost to become a reality to me. But there is one huge concept the Lord has given me that I know is moving me toward that day of the “rushing, mighty wind.” Now, I want to begin reading in Romans 8, starting at verse 1, and I just pray you have your Bible with you:
Romans 8:1
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not [according to] the flesh, but [according to] the Spirit.
And that is what I have tried to cover in this tape, how there is no condemnation – you are perfected as pertaining to the conscience. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus… Verse 2:
Romans 8:2-3
2[Because] the law [or the teaching] of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus [has made us] free from the [teaching] of sin and death.
3For what [the teachings] the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh [See, your “flesh” could not grasp it – the teachings of God], God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and [concerning] sin, condemned [He put to death] sin in the flesh:
So you could not pick up this book and understand what God was saying – so He sends His Son to perform the work, to show you, to prove His love. And by dying on that cross, He put to death sin in the flesh. Again, that cross was for you, not for God… Verse 4:
Romans 8:4
4[So that] the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us [not simply “understood,” but fulfilled], who walk not [according to] the flesh, but [according to] the Spirit.
And let me say that even though you believe in Christ, if you’re still keeping that “law,” then you’re walking according to the flesh – that is not how you overcome sin, and we’re going to get into this as we read this chapter. Verse 5:
Romans 8:5-6
5For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6For to be carnally minded is death; to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
And the minding of the flesh is the way that actually reads – the minding of the flesh; the minding of the Spirit – see, when you go back up and you see verse 3: What the law could not do because it was weak through the flesh… You see, the “flesh” cannot give you the understanding. So if you’re keeping this law literally, you’re walking according to the flesh, even though you’re getting it out of the Bible, it’s still your interpretation, and you’re walking according to the flesh, and that is “enmity” with God. Verse 7:
Romans 8:7
7Because the carnal mind [or the minding of the flesh] is enmity against God: [Why?] for it is not subject to [God’s teaching], neither indeed can [it] be.
If you’re looking at this book literally, and still trying to put literal meaning to these things, you see, you’re not subject to the teaching of God! You have got to open your heart – again, I point you back to the Beatitudes, where those seven steps lead to peace, “poor in spirit,” and so on. Those will lead you to the habitation of peace, or New Jerusalem, and you’ve got to lay down your fleshly understanding. Romans 8:8:
Romans 8:8-9
8So then they that are in the [fleshly mind, they] cannot please God.
9But [you’re] not in flesh, [you’re] in Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…
Now let me show you something new: Romans 8:9 should be divided in half. When he says “Now,” that really should begin verse 10: You’re not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now, if any of you do not have the Spirit of Christ, you’re none of His…
Romans 8:10
10And if Christ [is] in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Now notice the next verse:
Romans 8:11
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell[s] in you,…
Stop – that’s the Father. Now I want you to see this before we continue reading verse 11: Paul has just made three different parts of understanding, three levels of understanding. The middle of verse 9: If you don’t have the Spirit of Christ, you’re not His. Verse 10: You can have Christ, Christ can be in you, but your body is dead because of sin – the Spirit would be alive because of righteousness. But here’s the third step: If the Spirit of the Father dwells in you, He will give life to your mortal body. Now back up… What I’m reading to you is huge; this is a huge concept: Three different levels of understanding – to not have Christ at all; to have Christ, but your body is dead because of sin, and to have the Spirit of the Father, which gives life even to the mortal body. You see, that is where the 144,000 will be – if you turn back to Revelation 14, and you just simply start reading at verse 1… Let me read this:
Revelation 14:1
1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on
And the 144,000 will never see death. Why? Romans 8:11:
Romans 8:11
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus [out of] the dead dwell[s] in you, he that raised up Christ [out of] the dead shall also [give life to] your mortal bodies [because of] his Spirit that [dwells] in you.
You see – I think back to a time in my life when I was serving the Lord, but
Jesus was everything, and I never really thought that much about God the
Father. I can remember being at Pentecostal churches and saying: Jesus is
Lord!, you know, and people praying – they would pray to Jesus. And then, as
I began to understand the Godhead, the Father began to come into view;
the distinction between the two, the Father and Son. And then I entered the
abiding truth, and I realized: Well, this was how Christ kept from sinning…
The words I speak; the things that I do – it’s all My Father, He says. And
the Father became even more clear, but then you come to the place where God
reveals
Now, this brings out all kinds of things to me. One thing in particular is seen in Ephesians 1, and I want to read this in verse 5:
Ephesians 1:5
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children [through] Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
You see, when you can look at that cross and you see the love of God, and you get that impression that God is saying to you: Because I forsook My only begotten to reveal My love for you means I love you just as much…When you enter into that understanding, you have entered into “adoption.” Just because the Bible says you’re adopted doesn’t make it so. The Bible is a book of experience, and He is showing you that when you come into the reality of the truth, you have entered into adoption – when you know in your heart He loves you as much as He loves His only birthed Son. Romans 8:12:
Romans 8:12-13
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to [live according to] the flesh,
13For if [you] live [according to] the flesh, [you’re going to] die: but if [you] through the Spirit [put to death] the deeds of the body, [you’ll] live.
In other words, through the Spirit, through the understanding God gives you, He reveals your sin nature; He reveals the iniquity that you have created because of the vacuum in your heart that was causing you to reach for everything around you. See, that is how you overcome sin – it isn’t that you see: Well, this isn’t good, so I’m going to train my mind not to do it. God has to reveal to you why you do it, and He will root it out of you. Verse 14:
Romans 8:14-17
14For as many [of us] as are led by [God’s Spirit, are God’s sons].
15For [you haven’t] received the spirit of bondage again to fear; [you’ve] received [a] Spirit of adoption, [in which] we cry, Abba, Father.
16The Spirit [bears] witness with our spirit, that we are [His] children:
17And if [you’re] children, [you’re] heirs; heirs of God, [you’re] joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
So, to sum up what I’ve just read in Romans 8, it is understanding the Spirit of the Father that quickens the mortal flesh. You can possess the Spirit of Christ, like I said – go to one of these churches, go to a Baptist church and notice how all the emphasis is on the Son, and He says your body is dead because of sin. Ask them: Do you still have a sin nature? Have you overcome sin? The answer is: “No, we haven’t overcome sin.” “Yes, we still have a sin nature.” But he goes on and makes a third step: Having the Spirit of the Father – if that understanding dwells in you, it gives life to your mortal flesh, you see. And, again, that is where the 144,000, that is what they attain.
RECEIVING THE FATHER’S SPIRIT
Now, what is “Pentecost”? Pentecost is Christ giving to you the Spirit that
He has received from His Father. Pentecost, in Acts 2, gives you the picture
of the Risen Savior filling all of your habitation with His breath, and giving
you that which He has received of His Father. He, Christ, had reached a
completed perfection. To reach a “completed perfection” means His understanding
has been brought to completion, and it is that understanding that He
passes to you. Your personal Pentecost is the day that you reach a level of
understanding that Christ can push you on over the top as He fills your heart
with true knowledge of God the Father. Acts
Acts
33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father [Himself, He has received] the promise of the Holy [Spirit], he [Jesus, has] shed forth this, which [you] now see and hear.
But we know that when He was raised from the dead, His mind was in a state of understanding it had never been in before. Pentecost – we receive the Spirit of the Father through the Son. We receive an understanding about the Father that only the Son can give us. Peter also says, in Acts 2:16: This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. Here he is, on the day of Pentecost, pointing people back to Joel 2, and that’s where I want to read from because, starting in Joel 2:28: It shall come to pass afterward… Well, if you read before Joel 2:28, these are things which we should be experiencing even now because, when you come to verse 28:
Joel 2:28
28And it shall come to pass after [that], I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh [Here is Pentecost]; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
That is still future for us, because Pentecost, the reality of Pentecost, the true substance of Pentecost is still before us. Verse 29:
Joel 2:29-30
29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30And I will [show] wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Again, something else that is before us; symbols depicting something that takes place in our hearts, in our understanding – verse 31:
Joel 2:31
31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
The sun to darkness, the moon to blood is seen in the sixth seal. What we’re reading about concerning Pentecost is during the seventh seal, where the Lord pours the fire into the earth. Verse 32:
Joel 2:32
32And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the
name of the LORD [at this time] shall be delivered: for in mount
Notice, “deliverance” is nowhere else but in
GOOD SAMARITAN
Now I want to finish off this study with a look at the Good Samaritan parable in Luke, chapter 10, because the Lord has shown me how this parable ties in things that we have been learning just in the past few months. I want to begin reading at verse 25 of Luke 10:
Luke 10:25-30
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted [Christ], saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 [Christ] said unto him, What is written in the law? how [do you read it]?
27And he answering said, [You shall] love the Lord [your] God with all [your] heart, soul, strength, and mind; and [your] neighbour as [yourself].
28And [Christ said], [You have] answered right: [do it, and you’ll live].
29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30And Jesus answering said [this parable], A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Now, remember that a “city” is a mindset, “
Luke 10:31-32
31And by chance there came down a certain priest [A “priest,” Exodus 19, is someone who has entered the abiding truth]: and when he [sees] him, he [passes] by on the other side.
32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
I have understood “Levites” as symbols of teachers – “Levites” were symbols of those who teach the truths of God. Verse 33:
Luke 10:33
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
What does he do? He pours in “oil,” and “wine,” and “binds up his wounds,” and
“sets him on his beast,” and “takes care of him.” What is a “Samaritan”? This
word, “Samaritan” goes back – the Hebrew word for “
Now let me tell you something that was brought out in our church a couple of weeks ago: There is a big difference between someone who shares their faith and someone who teaches the word of God. Remember, in 1 Peter 3:15: Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you? You see, you can share the experience that God has given you, but when you compare 1 Corinthians 12:28 – Listen to this: God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Verse 29: Are all apostles? No. Are all prophets? No. Are all teachers? No. Are all workers of miracles? No. It’s one thing to share your faith; it’s another thing to claim to be a teacher sent from God – a teacher that God is revealing truth to. All of us are to share our faith as God gives us experience. He counts on us doing that; He commands us to do that, but to be a Bible teacher is something different than that. I want to read James, chapter 3, verse 1:
James 3:1
1My brethren, be not many masters [or teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
You’re supposed to share the experiences you’re having, but does that make you a teacher? No – that means you are sharing what God has given you, and you can pour in “oil” and “wine” and be the good Samaritan, and help these people who have gone down from Jerusalem and entered into the city of the moon, the city of the book, who are wounded, who live among thieves, and who are left half dead. I wanted to share that with you and tell you that I pray you are taking the time to search these things out, seeking the Lord, if they be true, and applying all of these things to your life. I look out over the people that I have known over the years, I look out at these people and I realize that as the Lord increases our understanding, how people fall away left and right because you eventually come to a concept that they cannot deal with. You eventually reach something that they cannot deal with, and I’m warning you now – we are not finished, and the truth just keeps getting higher. And if you are not paying attention, if you are not applying yourself, chances are pretty good we’re going to come to a truth that is going to offend you, and you will not know how we got there because you have not been keeping up. I challenge you – if you’re struggling with the things I teach, call me and let’s talk about it. Let’s talk these things over and base it, remember, on the last study… the three things: experience, the spoken word, and the scriptures. Those three things the Lord has shown us will help us discern what is true, and I pray the Lord impress your heart with His grace – that He have mercy on you and give you His truth, and that you cling to it with all your might. And let the habitation of peace be the “wife of the covenant,” and cleave to her, for she is of God.