Masterpiece 118
Chaste Virgins Rebuked by God
Rev Brian Kocourek
2 Corinthians 11:1 Would
to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and
indeed bear with me. 2 For I am
jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Let us bow our hearts in
a word of Prayer. Dear Gracious and Loving Father, we come to Thee this morning
in a most reverent manner knowing that in days of old, if Your High-Priest did
not approach Thee step by step in reverence and in holiness, the bells on his
hem would cease to ring, and the people knew that he had mis-stepped
in Thy presence, and he was a dead man, and they would have to pull him from
Thy presence with the rope that had been wrapped around his waste.
Forgive us this morning
O God if we have failed mis-stepped in our approach
to Thee, or if we have in any way, offended Thee, and we ask that the Blood of
Thy Son Jesus Christ be forever a sin covering for us, for our sins, those in
our past, those in our present, and those future sins which we have not
committed yet. For we know that His sin offering to You, Dear father, was a
once for all offering, and we come therefore into Thy Presence holding the
Blood of that “once for all sacrifice”
over our heads, and our hearts as we once more approach Thy August Presence.
Grant to us a refreshing and cleansing this morning O God, as we come to
discuss thy Great Promises to your People, for we ask it in the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.
You may be seated. This
morning we will speak from The Masterpiece paragraphs 210 through 212. The
words which brother Branham speaks in these closing paragraphs are very sincere
words pleading with God to hear his prayer as broken as it might be. He
expresses to God in this closing intercessory prayer, that it is very difficult
to approach the Living God Who created the heavens and the earth with mere
words, and He asks God for help in addressing our needs for Him to look upon us
through the Blood of His beloved Son. Catch the spirit of these words as
Brother Branham approaches God on our behalf.
The Masterpiece 210 Now, I pray for them, Lord. I pray that You won't let any that's here be lost, Lord. They set under
difficult... They drive for hundreds of miles. And whatever that we have need of, give it to us, Lord, whatever's good for us, Lord, not
what's good in our sight, but what's
good in Your sight. We want to stand as a chaste virgin that's been chastened,
rebuked of God, that we might be purged from our sins.
Now,
in this next paragraph I want you to notice the humility in which Brother
Branham approaches God, our Father. He is about to offer an intercessory prayer
on our behalf, and he says, 211 And
I offer my prayer for them, Lord. I don't know how to pray. We're talking to
the Mighty God, and what human being is there, what mortal could make the right
type of prayer before the living God? But, Lord, my mispronounced words and my
nouns and pronouns in the wrong place, if You could pick out the a-b-c's for a little boy one day and make a sentence, You can
omit my nouns and pronouns and just look to what I believe, Lord. I believe You. I believe this Word. And I'm
believing for each one here. And I'm bringing them to that altar, Lord,
by faith, where between us and Great Jehovah is the Blood of His Son, Jesus.
And the Blood shall speak for us. When You smote Him
on
212 Great Father of
Life, include us, Lord. If we've sinned, take it away from us. We don't want to be that way, Lord. It's
not our intention. And we realize we're living in such a horrible dark way.
As we said at the beginning, we're walking up a mountain, through rugged
places; dim is the trail; but we're packing the Light. May we see It step by step as we go now, until we meet, like
"Pilgrim's Progress," till we finally catch the top of the hill.
Guide us, O Shepherd. Great Jehovah, lead us by Thy Spirit.
213 And
we know that we're far from a masterpiece, but we're looking where we were
hewed from, the real Masterpiece, and in Him we trust. Just take us to Him,
Lord. Grant it, Lord.
O, there is so much in
these last few words of prayer that I am looking forward with great anticipation
to what God will show us in the next few weeks to come. But for today, I want
us to focus on two things. First, the way in which brother Branham was almost
lost for words to say as he took us into the Presence of Almighty God and made
intercessory prayer on our behalf. And secondly he said, And whatever that we
have need of, give it to us, Lord, whatever's
good for us, Lord, not what's good in our sight, but what's good in Your sight. We want to stand as a chaste virgin that's been chastened, rebuked of God, that we
might be purged from our sins.
Now, in these words
there are also two things I wish to address this morning. First of all brother
Branham asked God to give us what is best for us, and he said, “not
what we think is best for us, but what God thinks is best for us.”
You know, it is
important that we come to God in humility, because if we don’t, we may not like
the answer that God has for us. I mean, we must be reverent and respectful for
what God is showing us. And we must also be circumspect and careful in what we
ask for. Because if you ask God to help you be more humble, as an example, you
had better understand one thing, God will use that which is your weakest point
in your life to bring you down, and humble you before Him. In 2 Corinthians the
Apostle Paul speaks of an infirmity in his flesh that he alone knows what it
was, and that God used it to keep him humble, lest the abundance of Revelation
would allow him to become puffed up.
2 Corinthians 12:1 It
is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and
revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ
above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught
up to the third heaven.3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted
above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For
this thing I besought
the Lord thrice,
that it might depart
from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended
of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles,
though I be nothing.
Now, the main point I
wish to look at this morning is the words that brother Branham spoke to us
concerning our standing before God as chaste virgins.
And whatever
that we have need of, give it to us, Lord, whatever's good for us, Lord, not what's good in our sight, but what's good in Your sight. We want
to stand as a chaste virgin that's
been chastened, rebuked of God, that
we might be purged from our sins.
Now, he got that
expression Chaste Virgins from the Apostle Paul who said in 2 Corinthians 11:1 Would to
God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and
indeed bear with me. 2 For
I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one
husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Now, this word chaste
that the apostle Paul used concerning the condition of the Bride that he wished
to present to Christ was translated chaste from the Greek word Hagnos: Now, this word hagnos figuratively it means to be perfect:
chaste, clean, innocent, pure, or modest. The Word Hagnos
is used 7 times in Scripture, which is the number of completion, and it speaks
of perfection, completion, or maturity in our character. All of the
usages of this word in Scripture speak of an inward characteristic that is pure
and clean and wholesome and which is reflected openly, or manifested in our
bodies, thus showing perfection or maturity in the inner man being expressed
through the outer man, our body.
As the Apostle Paul said
in Romans 12:1 I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your
reasonable service. Or as the NIV says, (which is your spiritual act
of worship) And then Paul tells us how this is to be done.2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God. And
finally he shows us that this condition of the mind must also reflect a certain
condition of humility. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly
than he ought to think; but to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Notice he said not to
think any more highly than he ought to think. Now, does that mean that if you
are really being used of God you can think more of yourself than if you are not? Absolutely Not! It means that when you are
thinking of yourself make your comparison between yourself and God, and then
you will find your humility where it ought to be. Don’t compare yourself with
other sons or daughters of God. You compare yourself with God, Your Father, and
then you won’t ever get puffed up.
That is the problem we
have among not only ministers, but the laity as well. God has given us such
great revelation, that if we are not mature enough to handle it, we will get
puffed up by it. And the Apostle Paul
warned us as he said, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think; but to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man… And so in our thinking
of self, we ought to never neglect to think in terms of what God has dealt to
us… Then we do not have to worry about being humble before God and man.
From his sermon, Falling apart of
the world 62-1216 P:68 brother Branham
said, And
remember, your politics and churchy-anity stinks
before God too. God loves the
sweet-smelling savor of humility. The church don't
want that, a false humility, but God
wants real humility.
Again from brother
Branham sermon called, Sir we would see Jesus 62-0724
P:44 he said, God doesn't dwell in hierarchies, and things. He dwells in
humility. The way up is down. Humble yourself and you'll be exalted; exalt
yourself and you'll be humble. That's right. See? God knows how to do it. So you have to remember; humble yourself
before God. Don't try to think your own thoughts; think His thoughts. See? Notice that Brother Branham
tells us how to humble ourselves before God. He says, Don't try to think your
own thoughts; think His thoughts.
And finally from brother
Branham’s sermon called, Influence 63-1114 P:72 he said, You've got to give your all to God, your
reverence, your respects, your everything that you are. Just be nothing; just see how little you are, and that's what God
wants us to do. And that's real humility.
That's the way these Seraphims are in His Presence
(You see?), with their face in reverence, covered; their feet, in humility.
Now, in addressing this
word hagnos which Paul used in Scripture in reference
to the our being chaste virgins before God, he also spoke of this word in 2 Corinthians
7: 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a
godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire,
yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to
be clear in this matter.
Now, in the Apostle
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he had scolded them because there was
fornication in the church and the church had not dealt with it properly.
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is
not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's
wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not
rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among
you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have
judged already, as though I were present, concerning
him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our
Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge
out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore
let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice
and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread
of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company
with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this
world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with
idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I
have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother
be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer,
or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no
not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to
judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them
that are within? 13 But them that are
without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked
person.
Now, this church had to
deal with such a problem once, and I hope it never will have to deal with that
sort of problem again. And in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul is
expressing that the Corinthian church had not only righted its wrong in that
situation but that they were truly repentant for not having dealt with it on
their own to begin with. Therefore we see in this 2nd letter to the
Corinthians a certain characteristic in the people that expressed their deep
regret at there not handling that situation in the church properly.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Receive
us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3 I
speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our
hearts to die and live with you. 4 Great
is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I
am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For, when we were come into
Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless
God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by
his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when
he told us your earnest desire, your
mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I
did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I
rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that
ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye
were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in
nothing. 10 For
godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For
behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you,
yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation,
yea, what fear, yea, what vehement
desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things
ye have approved yourselves to be clear
in this matter. 12 Wherefore, though I wrote
unto you, I did it not for his
cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that
our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13 Therefore
we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was
refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have boasted any
thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake
all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his
inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth
the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16 I
rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
Again we find the
Apostle Paul use this word “hagnos” which was translated as Chaste concerning our being
presented as Chaste virgins, but here it was
translated as the word pure. So you see, our
chastening is for our purification. In the following
scripture.
Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things.
Notice the mindset that
the Apostle Paul tells us that we must have concerning the way we interact with
one another. And notice the mindset he tells us we must have concerning our
focus on Christ and God’s Word. Philippians 4:5 Let
your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, (there’s that word “hagnos” again) whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there
be any
praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have
both (learned, and received), and (heard, and seen) in me, do: and the God of peace shall
be with you.
We again see him use
this word “hagnos”
in 1 Timothy
5: 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other
men's sins: keep thyself pure.
1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke
not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honor
widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have
children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite
their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow
indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But
she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in
charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for
his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under
threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good
works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she
have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have
diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows
refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off
their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and
not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they
ought not. 14 I
will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned
aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows,
let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve
them that are widows indeed. 17 Let the elders that rule
well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word
and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle
the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his
reward. 19 Against
an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before
all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before
another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no
man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but
use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine
often infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going
before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise
also the good works of some are manifest
beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Again we see the Apostle
Paul use this word “hagnos”
in his letter to Titus 2: 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Notice
he is not addressing the ministry, but the women in the church in this
reference.
Titus 2:1 But
speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That
the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The
aged women likewise, that they be in behavior
as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young
women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young
men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things showing
thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but showing
all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
The problem I see more
than anything among believers today is also something that is seen in the
general public. Let someone accuse you of something and immediately we get
defensive. Instead of saying, I am sorry that those people who left have that
impression about me, we get defensive and think of how we can justify their
being offended with us, by how we can write them off because they are not
following the Lord, or because their children may have wandered away from God.
The thing that frightens
me is that we, as Christians, can become too hard in our spirit towards others,
even those who despise us. Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, and bless
those who would despise us.
Matthew 5: 44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you. 45 That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and
on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you,
what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the
same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren
only, what do ye more than others? do not even the
publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Notice Jesus, our older
brother said, that our attitude towards them that hate us, and our attitude
towards them that despise us, and our attitude towards them that persecute
us, reflects upon our Father, and who we
are as Children of God. So we should be very careful that we might reflect our
Father’s attitude in the way we respond to those around us that hate us and
despise us, and persecute us. Because remember, the baptism of the Holy Spirit
which is our birth into the family of God, begins our predestinated path
towards receiving the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of our
Father. And we know that caps off our progression towards receiving the mind of
our father. And let’s face it, if we think it we do
it. And thus as James said, Show me your works and I will show you what your
faith is. So Faith without an expression is dead. And Jesus is telling us that
the way we treat those who mistreat us reflects our progression towards
receiving the very mind of God.
Therefore, as Jesus who
was adopted on Mt. Transfiguration was later mail treated and crucified, yet in
the moment of the trial, he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Remember, ‘All things
work together for the Good of them that Love the Lord and are The Called
according to His purpose.
In closing I would like
to point out that not only the Apostle Paul spoke of this ‘Hagnos”
or pure attitude that we must have but the apostle Peter spoke of it as well as
the Apostle John. In 1 Peter 3: 2 we read. While
they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. And I want you to notice that here
he is speaking to the wives.
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection
to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the
word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold
your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not
be that outward adorning of plaiting
the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden
man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in
the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as
Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do
well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to
knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being
heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that
ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew
evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the
eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them
that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that
which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always
to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience;
that, whereas they speak evil of you, as
of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For
it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer
for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ
also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once
the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The
like figure whereunto even baptism doth
also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the
answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into
heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities
and powers being made subject
unto him.
And finally we see that
the apostle John also used this word “hagnos” in describing the condition that we should present
ourselves before God. 1 John 3:3
1 Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of
God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as
he is. 3 And
every man that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself, even as he is pure. Notice that this word “hagnos” is used in the sense of
one purging their minds to become what they know there Father’s mind is. He
spoke of our becoming what we really are when we see our father for what He
really is. And then he said, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He (God our Father) is pure. Let’s bow our
hearts in prayer.