The Word of God – Part 3

October 10, 2023September 5, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

‘Sword’ (continues) It is the book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. The Bible contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.

Here heaven is opened, and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet in righteousness and true holiness. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through and through until it becomes part of your being and generates faith that will move mountains. The Bible is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure. It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and will stand forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward any amount of labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

‘Dividing asunder of soul and spirit.’ Piercing through the body and laying open the innermost recesses of the soul (feelings, passions, desires, appetites) and mind (thoughts and intents of the innermost being). We must examine ourselves against God’s Word (1Cor. 11:28, 31-32; 1Jn. 1:7; Col. 2:6-7; 3:5-10; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26) to ensure that no sin occupies or controls our thoughts, emotions or actions. We cannot just claim to be saints without living in faith and obedience (11:6; Rom. 1:6; Jam. 1:6-8, 22-26).

‘Creature’ [Greek: ktisis] created thing. Every thought, desire and intent of every creature of God are constantly under His eyes.

The Word of God – Part 2

October 9, 2023September 5, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Sword’ [Greek: machaira] translates as sword, 29 times (4:12; 11:34, 37; Eph. 6:17; Matt. 10:34; 26:47-55; Mark 14:43-48; Luke 21:24; 22:36-52; John 18:10-11; Acts 12:2; 16:27; Rom. 8:35; 13:4; Rev. 6:4; 13:10, 13:14).

Twelve symbols of the Word of God: A hammer to convict (Jer. 23:29). A fire to refine (Jer. 23:29). A mirror to reflect (Jas. 1:23). Seed to multiply (1Pet. 1:23). A laver to cleanse (Eph. 5:26). A lamp to guide (Ps. 119:105). Rain and snow to refresh (Isa. 55:10). A sword to cut (4:12; Eph. 6:17). A bow for revenge (Hab. 3:9). Gold to enrich (Ps. 19:7-10). Power to create faith (Rom. 10:17) and eternal life (1Pet. 1:23). Food to nourish: Milk for babes (1Pet. 2:2); Bread for the hungry (Matt. 4:4); Meat for people (5:11-14); Honey for dessert (Ps. 19:10).

The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish, or a book that will work wonders by its very presence. It is a book that will work wonders in every life, here and hereafter, if acted upon and obeyed in faith and sincerity. It is God’s inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things, written in the most simple human language possible so that the most unlearned can understand and obey its teachings. It is self-interpreting and covers every subject of human knowledge and needs now and forever.

As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever made. It is a divine library of 66 books, some of considerable size, and others no larger than a tract. These books include various forms of literature – history, biography, poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns, letters, directions for elaborate ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories, prophecy, drama, and others. They embrace all manner of literary styles in human expression.

To be continued…

The Word of God – Part 1

October 6, 2023September 5, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Word of God’ – The Scriptures. Twenty-one names of the Bible: The Scripture (Mark 15:28; John 7:38). The Scriptures (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). The Promises (Rom. 9:4-5; 15:8). The Oracles of God (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1Pet. 4:11). The Lively Oracles (Acts 7:38). The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:25, 44). The Law of the Lord (Ps. 1:2). The Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17; 11:13; Acts 13:15). The Book of the Lord (Isa. 34:16). The Word of God (Mark 7:13; Rom. 10:17). The Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The Old and New Testament (2Cor. 3:6-15). The First and Second Covenant (Heb. 8:7). The Word of Christ (Col. 3:16). The Word of Life (Php. 2:16). The Scripture of Truth (Dan. 10:21). The Word of Truth (2Tim. 2:15). The gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). The Word of Faith (Rom. 10:8). The Word of the Lord (2Thess. 3:1). The Word of Righteousness (Heb. 5:13).

‘Quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.’ Seven facts about the Word of God: Quick [Greek: zao] to live; to be full of vigour; be strong; powerful; active. Translated “quick” (4:12; Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1; 1Pet. 4:5); “lively” (Acts 7:38; 1Pet. 1:3; 2:5; and “to live” and “be alive”). Powerful [Greek: energes] is also translated “effectual” (1Cor. 16:9; Phm. 1:6). Sharper than any two-edged sword. Piercing even to divide asunder of soul and spirit. Dividing the joints and marrow. Discerning the thoughts. Discerning the intents of the heart.

‘Twoedged’ [Greek: distomos] (Rev. 1:16; 2:12). It pierces even to divide the soul and spirit, the joints and marrow and the purpose is to reveal motive and intent by discerning the thoughts and the intents of the heart.

To be continued…

Ignorant

November 25, 2020November 13, 2020 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

‘Ignorant’ [Greek: lanthano] to be unseen or unnoticed. Translated “ignorant of” (3:5, 8); “unawares” (Heb. 13:2); and “be hid” (Mark 7:24; Luke 8:47; Acts 26:26).

‘That by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.’ Things that people are willingly ignorant of: [1] That by the Word of God the heavens were created of old (3:5; Ps. 68:33; 93:2; 102:25; Mic. 5:2). [2] That the earth was established in and out of water (3:5; Ps. 24:2; 136:6). [3] That “the world that then was” refers to the pre-Adamite world or social system which was destroyed by a great universal flood before Adam (3:6; Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:5-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Jer. 4:23-26; Ezek. 28:11-17). [4] That the heavens and the earth which are now were restored from chaos and judgment about 6,000 years ago in Adam’s day (3:7; Gen. 1:3-2:25). [5] That the heavens and the earth entered their second sinful career through Adam and are now reserved for a second universal renovation (by fire) at the time of the great white throne judgment at the end of the Millennium (3:7, 10-12; Rom. 8:18-25; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:25-28; Rev. 20:7-15). [6] That with God a thousand years is like a day and a day like a thousand years. He inhabits eternity and is not subject to time to get His work done before death as is the case with us (3:8-9; Isa. 57:15; Eph. 3:11). [7] That the Lord is not slack concerning His promises but is longsuffering to all men, wishing that all would come to repentance (3:9; 1Tim. 2:4; Rev. 22:17). [8] That the day of the Lord is to come as a thief in the night, in which day (the end of it) the heavens and the earth will be renovated and made new a third time (3:10-13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; Rev. 21-22). [9] That all rebellion will then be put down (3:13; 1Cor. 15:24-28). [10] That the righteous natural people left on earth after the rebellion of Revelation 20:7-10 will multiply and replenish the new earth forever, carrying out God’s original program for Adam, as would have been done if man had not sinned (3:13; Gen. 1:26-31; 8:22; 9:12; Isa. 9:6-7; 59:20; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 27; Matt. 25:34, 46; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 21:1-22:5). [11] That God will move His capital city from heaven to the earth to dwell with men forever and administer the affairs of the universe from the earth (3:13; Rev. 21:1-22-5). [12] That the resurrected saints, saved from Abel to the Millennium will be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ and will reign as kings and priests on earth helping God administer the affairs of the universe forever (3:13; Ps. 149:5-9; Dan. 7:18-27; Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 4:8; 6:2; Eph. 2:7; 2Tim. 2:12; 2Thess. 1:4-10; Rev. 1:6; 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 11:15; 12:5; 20:4-6; 22:5).

This ignorance of the Biblical facts is not forced upon man. They are willingly ignorant, preferring to remain in darkness, even scoffing at the second coming of Christ and denying Him who bought them with His own blood (2:1-2; 3:5, 8). They shut their eyes against light and refuse all evidence.

‘By the word of God the heavens were of old’ this refers to God speaking the materials into existence out of which He then formed the heavens and the earth (Heb. 1:10).

‘Standing out of the water and in the water’ this proves the earth was not created all wet as in Genesis 1:2, but dry, then flooded, and later restored to a dry state as in Genesis 1:9-10.