Romans
11
Brian Kocourek
KJV Romans
KJV Romans
Notice the use of the words it is high time to awake out of sleep,
the Apostle Paul is using here. IT IS HIGH TIME. Those are words we use when we
know that that it is well past the normal time for something to take place.
It’s High Time! Tells us the season is now, everything is ready.
These words are used to distinguish between the
ones who are yet learning from those who have already heard and have learned.
We do not say, it’s
about time, or it’s high time
in reference to those we know are
yet tender and young and are still learning, but rather, we use those words, it’s about time,
or it’s high time in reference to those who
should know better, and are slothful in doing what they know they should be
doing. Therefore we use them as a rebuke to perhaps jumpstart them toward doing
what they already know they should be doing.
We use those words, when someone finally gets
around to doing what they should have been doing a long time ago. A mother uses
those words to her children, It’s high time you started making your bed, or it’s high time
you got out and started working. And it’s usually followed by, I told you how many days ago to get that done, and
it’s high time
you started listening to me. Or to
your child concerning school work they
have been putting off, we say, It’s high time you crack those books and start
getting that schoolwork done, you have known for how many weeks that you were
supposed to dot hat paper, and it’s high time you get started.
And so we hear the Apostle Paul admonishing us to
get with the program so to speak. He is saying, Look you have known for how
long, and you still haven’t done what God has asked you to do? And there is a
reason for the rebuke. If we do not do what we know that we should be doing it
is sin. JAMES
4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
Brother Branham taught us that iniquity is
something that you know that you ought to do and will not do it. ANGEL AND THE
THREE PULLS E-18.
BEHOLD A GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE_62-0721 E-86 "But if I regard iniquity in my heart,
then God will not hear my prayer," said David. What is iniquity? Iniquity
is something that you know that you're doing that you ought not to do and still
won't repent of it. If I regard iniquity in my heart, knowing that I should do
it, and don't do it, then God promised, the Bible promises that God will not
hear your prayer, if you know you should do it and won't do it. That right,
brethren? That right, brother ministers? It's true, if you regard iniquity...
Jesus told us in
Therefore we see two things here.
I) No man can come unless God draws Him, which means that God will pull or tug on the individual’s heart to come, and once that is done,
II) They can not yet come until they have heard and have learned. And this Second part is so important.
For in this we can see the lesson of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins. All are virgins of the same stock or as brother Branham put it, are all cut out of the same material. And yet one is wise, for she learns from her experiences with God while the other is dull of hearing, and does not learn until it is too late.
Remember the parable that Jesus tells concerning the son of man sowing seed in his field and when he is finished, he is asked by His Disciples why He speaks to the people in parables, and His answer gives us a very important understanding as to the way God deals with people…. So let’s turn to the Book of Matthew and examine the 13th chapter.
Matthew 13:1 ¶ The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, (Now, before we get down to seeing just exactly what these parables are that he tells them, notice that a great many people came to hear Him. So here you have a mixed multitude, made up of Believers, Make-Believers, and Unbelievers. And notice that we are told He spoke many things to them in parables. So he did not cut to the chase with these people. He told them stories. And there is a reason why He just told them stories. Now, I want you to examine each of these parables and see how they all have one thing in common.)
Parable #1) Behold, a sower went
forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the
fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had
not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of
earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no
root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung
up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. 9 Who hath ears
to hear, let him hear.
Now,
notice He says, I’ve just told you a parable about the
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Now, notice what they were saying to Him. They did not say, why are you speaking to us in parables, but why when we are hear with these people are you not speaking plain as you speak to us. Why are you cloaking your speech to them with stories. 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (He says, you are ordained to know and understand what I am talking about, but to them it is not so ordained.) And then He tells them why.
12 For whosoever hath, Now the Greek word for hath is Echo, and an echo is not only saying the same thing back what was said, but saying it exactly the way it was said. This implies that there is an understanding involved, because the same inflections are made in the giving back of the words that have been said, in the same way that they were actually said. This is not parroting, because I can say, Polly want a cracker, and the parrot will say the same words but will sound completely different. And anyone can parrot the word, or message, but to know what was said so you can teach it the same way is another thing altogether.
Let me explain. I can make the same statement to you as though I am asking you a question, or I can say those same words as though I am accusing you, or I can say those same words in a way that seems very sincere and caring. “are you sick?” Or, I could say in a more questioning and some what scolding manner, “Are you sick?” Or I could even say that in a somewhat humorous and sarcastic manner, “Are you sick!” implying the person is deranged in their head Or I could say those same words in a scolding and abrasive manner, “ARE YOU SICK!!!!
Now, if I am to echo the words as they are actually meant, then I must know the spirit behind the words that are spoken, and the spirit behind those words can be known via the inflection or tone and manner of how it is said. If I am to be an echo of what is said, then I will say them with the exact same inflection as the Holy Spirit wrote them. And Jesus said, to him that is of the ability to reflect back exactly what they have heard, which means they must be able to understand what they have heard, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: (And why is that? Because when Word is piled upon Word upon Word, it takes a-hold of your entire being and as you speak it back or echo it, the understanding comes and so does the discernment of that Word in such a manner that that Word begins to reside in you and takes a hold of your entire being. And you become that Word, just as the Word is spoken, you become the reflection of the Spoken Word. In the Hebrew there is a word for this called the MEMRA. Brother Vayle talked about this a couple years ago but I think it just bypassed most people who hear it because they did not understand it’s application.
The
Word MEMRA in the Hebrew Language stands for the Word of God personified. That
means basically in the literature of the Hebrew Language, the Word is used in place of God. It takes the Place of the words
God, or Jehovah, or Elohim, etc. Therefore, instead of the Scriptural “You have not believed the Lord,” Deuteronomy
Thus God is identified with His Word, because He is the Word. Therefore, the Word personified. The Scripture tells us, “by thy words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned”, and it also says, “As a man speaketh so is he”, or again it says, ”out of the abundance of the heart the Mouth Speaketh.” Thus we are identified with the words that we speak. And in Matthew 13 Jesus is telling us that we who have been gifted to echo, actually become what we echo. Whosoever has to Him shall be given and He shall have more. but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (But he who does not have , even that which he thought he had will be taken from him. Why? Through the stories that are told. That is the purpose of the story telling. It actually adds flesh to the one and takes away the flesh from the other.
Brother Branham said, “When Word is piled upon word upon word, it will change every fiber of your body. But what if they don’t get it? Then those stories that they hear, instead of reinforcing the Word, or Concept, and bring manifestation to that Word, will in turn take away any manifestation of the real meaning, and make unclear the real meaning. Thus taking the flesh off of the Word, and thus the Word to them is not the personification of God. Then to them God is not present, because His Word is not Present, and they can not associate the Presence of God with the Presence of His Word.)
But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore, (and therefore means, for this is the reason) speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (Now, if you hear but don’t understand what you are hearing, then are you really hearing at all? And if you are seeing but do not perceive what you are seeing, then are you seeing at all? What benefit then is your hearing and seeing? And what benefit is the Cloud, and Pillar of Fire to those who do not understand what it is about? And Jesus tells us the reason they can look and not understand, and listen and not even perceive what is being said,)
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, (And remember the heart represents the seat of understanding, and it has become hardened, and stiff and inflexible, and unmovable) and [their] ears are dull of hearing,(and the word dull means to become very difficult for you to hear, and the Greek word for hear is “akou” which means to understand or perceive.) and their eyes they have closed; (And this closing of the eyes is not like God did to the Jews, that He blinded them that the Gentiles might come in.
But it is said here that they close their own eyes, which means it is a willful thing that they are doing.) and their eyes they have closed; (and what is this willful act that they have done? We find out what the Word of God means in the Book of Isaiah when he is referring to the eyes of the people?) But before I read it, how many remember Brother Branham referring to the prophets as the eyes? He said the eye age is the prophetic age. And the eagle represents a prophet because they can go higher than any other bird and they have eyes that see further than any other creature. And so we find the Word of the Lord bearing this out in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 29.
ISAIAH 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. So then when we read that when Jesus is speaking this parable to the people in Matthew 13: he is telling them they have willfully closed themselves off to the true understanding of the prophets. They willingly have closed their eyes the prophets. And so we also see this is considered a spirit of slumber, a spirit where the eyes or prophets have been closed to the people, and so the people are asleep because they are without the Sword of the Lord through the Prophets. And What awakens them? The Midnight Cry awakens them. And what is that? The Shout of the Groom in the camp. And Paul told us it is high time that we awaken out of our slumber. It is high time that we open our eyes to what the Prophet has come to tell us. It is high time that we listen and understand what the Voice of God is here to teach us. But because they will not, Isaiah tells us 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, (That’s their understanding) and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people,(whose going to do this marvelous work? God Himself is going to do it.) even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
So God will come down with a shout, and the people will close their ears to what he has to say, and thus they willfully refuse to hear and thus to understand what the Shout is all about. And if they do not understand what the Shout is all about, will that Shout do them any Good? If they do not even understand it or perceive it, then can it do them any good? The answer is certainly not. And what is the Shout? It is the Message. And what is it all about? Changing the Living to be caught up to be with the Lord. Brother Branham taught us that the Shout gathers the elect together for the Rapture. He taught that in the Rapture Message. But what if the people willingly will not gather together? I tell you it is because they have heard but do not understand. And they have seen but do not perceive. They have willfully closed their eyes to the Prophets message, and are missing the Rapture right now. And Jesus continued in Matthew 13 by saying…
and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (And what is the greatest form of healing? Resurrection and change of the body. And Remember, according to Malachi 4 He has come with healing in His Wings. But notice that Jesus also says they can’t see and understand, nor will they hear and perceive so that they He doesn’t have to convert them. So these people are not converted. They do not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Peter had been with Jesus for 3 years and Jesus said to Him, Peter, when you are converted, strengthen the brethren. And Peter was not converted until the day of Pentecost when the Spirit of God indwelt Him and that Word became personified in Peter.)
16 But blessed [are]
your eyes, for they see (Blessed are you for you have perception of
what I am telling you) and your ears, for they hear. (And you have
understanding of the things that I am saying.)
17 For verily I say
unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things
which ye see, and have not seen them; (They looked for those things
to happen, but did not fully know or perceive what really was to happen.) and to hear those
things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (And to
understand those things which you
understand but they did not understand fully what was to come.) 18 Hear ye
therefore the parable of the sower. (Understand ye therefore the
parable of the sower.) 19 When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, (The
Message) and
understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which
was sown in his heart (understanding). This is he which received seed by the way
side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that
heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (Notice this one
hears it, he understands it, but something is lacking.) 21 Yet
hath he not root in himself, (The Greek word actually means
pedigree, there is no lineage that can be traced back to the beginning. And so
this one, although he might have understood for a time,) but dureth for a while (These are
they who having no lineage back to God, in other words they are not God seed,
but they thus hang onto the Word for a season, it keeps their attention for a
span of time, but then something will come along to take them out.) for when
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is
offended. (Notice these are those who hold onto it for a while and
even rejoice for a season in it, but when the testing of their revelation hits
the road, they get offended by the Word, and they stumble over the Word, and
thus become a stumbling stone to others.) 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that
heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Now, here is where I
want you to see the personification of the Word. In Matthew 13 we read that the
person who becomes choked by the cares of this life, becomes unfruitful, and
yet in MARK 4:19
we read, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it (What?
IT The word) becometh
unfruitful. So we see here what damage the cares of this life can do
to the Word of God becoming personified in you. It the Word, Where? IN YOU
becomes unfruitful) You the Word personified becomes unfruitful. How? By the
cares of this Life choking out the life that is in the Word, in you!
23 But he that
received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, (Notice
now) and
understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an
hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Then those who actually do hear and do understand will come will gather together as often as is possible and the Word will become personified in them. Now, notice how the Word of God becomes personified in you. That’s His Doxa, His Mind in You.
MALACHI 3:16 Then they that
feared the LORD spake often (What is
that word there? Often…and what did the Apostle Paul tell us in the Book
of HEBREWS?
And in Malachi He tells us what happens to those who have the right fear of God, and show it by coming together to talk the Word, ) Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; (the Lamsa translation says, in that day when the Lord will assemble His people. And what does the Shout do? It is to gather the people, and what are they doing when they are gathered?
They are assembled together to talk the Word.) and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (and so we are spared the oncoming storms of Judgment, and then something else takes place as well.) 18 Then shall ye return, (Now, that Word return is not really as though we have gone somewhere and now come back, but it is the same word used in Malachi 4 that speaks of the hearts of the children turned back to the hearts of the fathers. So we are not talking here as though we actually go somewhere and then return from there, but we are talking about the hearts which is the understanding of the people and it is that understanding that is restored, and what does that do?) and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. And how is it that we now have discernment? Because as our understanding is turned back to the Alpha, we become the personified Word, and thus God the Word personifies Himself, His Life, His Word, His Very mind and thoughts into the people of Malachi three that have the proper fear and respect that they will place everything else in life on hold and put God first. First before Family. First before their jobs. First before their school. First in everything.
COLOSSIANS 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. (It’s God’s purpose that His Son might have the preeminence.
And
How does God make that possible? By fully indwelling His Son.) 19 For it pleased
[the Father] that in him should all fullness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of
his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say],
whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and
enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In
the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and
settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have
heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;
whereof I Paul am made a minister; In the message Christ Revealed in
His Own Word that we spent 125 sermons examining, Brother Branham spoke of this
preeminence that God wanted from us.
CHRIST IS THE MYSTERY
63-0728 22-5 Now, if He had this threefold purpose... We
want to find out what is this threefold purpose. The first thing was that God
wanted to reveal Himself to the people. He couldn't do it as a great Jehovah
God Who covered all space, time, and eternity. He could not. He's too great to
ever be revealed to people, because it would be too mysterious. How could that
great Being that never did begin, that after you went beyond the cycle of a
hundreds of billions and trillions and trillions of years of light space, and
on out into the infinite, into the eternity, and a great Creature that was all
that, and still is...
23-1 But what He wanted to do, He loved
Fatherhood, for He was a Father. And the only way that He could express it was
to become a Son of man. That's the reason Jesus kept saying, "The Son of
man." See, they didn't know what He was talking about, many of them. But
now you get it? He wanted to express
Hisself. That was His, one of His great threefold purposes, was to express
Himself, identify Himself with human beings, to reveal Hisself in Christ.
23-2 Secondly: to
have the preeminence in His body of
believers, that is, His Bride, that He might live in people. Now, He could
do that in Adam and Eve, but sin separated them, so now there had to be some
way to get it back again. Oh, my. Oh, when I... This--this is rich to me, just
to even think of it. See? See what God's purpose was?
23-3 Now, why didn't He just keep Adam and Eve
like that? Then He would have never been able to express His Fullness, His full
attribute, because... He could been a Father there; that's true, but also He's
a Saviour. You say, "How do you know He was?" He is, 'cause I've had
the experience. See, see? He is a Saviour, and He had to express that, and how
could He do it? Only through Christ.
How could He be a
Son? Only through Christ. How could He be a Healer? Only through Christ. See, all
things are wound up in that one Person Jesus Christ. Oh, my.
24-5 Now, that's when He can express the preeminence’s. You
see? He's got the man or the person so
that he knows nothing but Christ. You get what I mean? All right. That's
secondly. First, to express Hisself
completely: God in Christ. Second, to have the preeminence’s by this
in His Church (which is His Body, Bride) to... He could have the preeminence to
express Himself through them. All right. And thirdly, to restore the Kingdom to its rightly position that fell by sin by
the first Adam, back to where He walked
in the cool of the evening with His people, talked with them, fellowshipped
with them. And now sin and death had separated them from His Presence and
His entire expression. Do you read it? Before the foundation of the world to
express all of His attributes, what He was...
So we see that this three fold purpose is for God to express Himself in His Son Jesus Christ. That’s number one, and then secondly to express Himself through His People, to the place that He has the full That FULL preeminence in His People, and thirdly to restore us back to our rightful position which we lost in the garden through Adam and Eve. To have fellowship with Him, to dwell in His Presence for ever. And we are here! He is Here! Look, first to Express Himself Through His Son. God, the Word personified in the Body of His Son. Secondly to have a people that give Him the Preeminence until He becomes personified in them. The Word personified in a people. And third to restore back our rightful position of fellowship around His Presence.
And
in Malachi he promised that by coming together and talking the Word, His Word,
that we would return, that means to have our hearts, the talking the Word would
bring us to the place that our understanding would turn back to the
understanding of the Apostolic Fathers, and then what did he say would take
place? Discernment among the people. And
what discerns? The Word! HEBREWS 4:12 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
The Word is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart.
That’s
God’s Word personified in His people. The MEMRA of God expressed in a people.
Hallelujah! Now, we don’t have much time left here, so I want to take the next
few parables real quick and show you that they are all speaking of the same
thing. Jesus is showing us in each of these parables what happens when you mix
the Real Truth with other seed. And the results is a lack of Personification of
the Word in the believer. Mixed word brings death. Unmixed word, Seed brings
the Seed to life in the believer, the Word made alive in you and me.
Parable #2) 24 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them,
saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in
his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the
wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth
fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came
and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence
then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants
said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said,
Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest:
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first
the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my
barn. Notice the binding into bundles shows how organization
takes you from the gathering of the Word into His Garner.
Parable #3) 31 Another parable
put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the
least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and
becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches
thereof. Notice how again he
is warning us of a mixed multitude coming in and spoiling the Tree, which
represents faith or The Faith for there
is only One Faith, and that is The Faith which is The Revelation of Jesus
Christ.
Parable #4) 33 Another parable
spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman
took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Now,
the woman represents the church and the leaven is what she doctrine that she
added to the three measures of meal which meal is the Word and the three measures is justification,
sanctification and the baptism for he Holy Spirit, and her doctrine pollutes
the true understanding of those until God had to send Elijah to restore the
understanding. Oh, this is so rich I wish I had time to fully go into this for
you, but years ago I took a complete message on just this parable and as we do
the MP3’s I will make it available to you again.
34 All these things
spake Jesus unto the multitude in
parables; and without a parable
spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things
which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
36 Then Jesus sent
the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him,
saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered
and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The
field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the
tares are the children of the wicked one; (Now, that’s serpent
seed.) 39 The
enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and
the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned
in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall
send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that
offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of
fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. (And that’s the key right there, in the Kingdom of
their Father. That’s Identification.
The Word of God personified in His Kids. God’s MEMRA in Us! That’s how we can
shine forth as the Sun, for remember it was that same Sun of Righteousness that
came in this hour with healing in his wings.) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Parable #5) 44 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto
treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for
joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Here we see Jesus tell us that this parable represents also the kingdom of
heaven, and it consists of those elect who are personified in this man who
finds something in the field, and remember what was sown in the field? It was
the Word of God. The Seed of God. And this man finds this Word that has been
hidden that is so valuable and that this
thing has been hidden from everyone else, but He alone has found it. That
speaks of the Hidden Wisdom of God which has been hid since the foundations of
the world but has been revealed unto us. I CORINTHIANS 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
[even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man
knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man,
but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the
world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are
freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man's wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But
the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, He
discerns because the Word is a discerner and therefore the Word personified
must also discern. yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the
Lord, that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ.
Parable #6) 45 Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who,
when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and
bought it. Again Jesus is pointing to the value of the Word, and the
effect it will have on them that hath or them that echo. For to them that hath
shall more be given. And that is why the man sells everything else, because He
knows the value of that Great Pearl of Great price. And how is it that he knows
the value? Because the Doxa of God that is in the Elect at the end-time is the
judgment, assessment opinion of God, and an assessment is to have the right
value. If I assess something I am valuing that something. And the Pearl of
Great price is the Word and He says the
Parable #7) 47 Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered
of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down,
and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at
the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from
among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth. This last parable that Jesus speaks tells the
whole story. These parables all are similar in that they all speak of a people,
those in the Kingdom of God, that are so thrilled at finding this great
treasure, The Hidden manna, the Hidden wisdom of God, that they forsake
everything else, jobs, family, friendships, school events, material
possessions, you name it, each and every story is about the Kingdom of God and
how we that will inherit it are those who have given preeminence to the Word
that all else does not matter. Nothing else matters, and if we do not have this
understanding then we do not see, nor have we really perceived what the Shout is
all about. The Good vessels are kept and the bad are cast away. And He tells us
very plainly that this is the conditions at the end of the world. John the
Baptist told us MATTHEW 3:11 I indeed baptize
you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and [with] fire: 12 Whose fan [is] in
his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff
with unquenchable fire. Therefore there must be a separation of the
wheat from the tares, for the Fan is in His hand and He, God will thoroughly
purge His floor.
Parable #8) 51 Jesus saith unto
them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth
forth out of his treasure things new and old. Now, in this he is speaking of a scribe,
and what did the scribes write? The scriptures, and what is the treasure that
he will bring out that is new and Old? It is the New testament and the Old. For
that is the Treasure. And Paul told us that this treasure we have now in
earthen vessels. II CORINTHIANS 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, (hath shined in our hearts, has
illuminated our understanding) to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face (That word face is prosopon and means in the presence ) of Jesus Christ. 7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, What treasure? The
light of the knowledge of the glory of God. that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us.
53 ¶ And it came to
pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country,
he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and
said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this
the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James,
and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him. (Notice,
the very thing that is treasure to those in the kingdom of God is just a common
thing for these others. And they became offended at him. I’ve had people come
from all over the world just to have some time with this ministry and they call
and they write and they email, and they send me so many correspondences that I
can’t even keep up and yet here at home we can’t even get three people besides
my own family to church on a Wednesday night. Alpha has become Omega. The Word
has become personified. The Memra of God is Present. And had they known what it
was they would not have crucified the Word of God afresh.) But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not
without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did
not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Therefore the learning is of utmost importance, and what Paul is telling us here is that we have learned and therefore it is high time that we do what we know to do, and it is high time that we act like we’ve been told to act.
Now,
in getting back to Romans 13:11: ¶ And that, knowing the time, In other words, now that you have been instructed and should know
better, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for
now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent,
the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us
put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in
rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and
envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the
flesh, to [fulfill] the lusts [thereof].
Notice that Paul first teaches us to know better, and once he has taught us to know better, he then admonishes us or exhorts us to live up to what we know. Now, there is a difference between indoctrination and exhortation. Indoctrination is for those who are ignorant, while exhortation is for those who know. And that is why he uses metaphorical and figurative expressions which are not suited for those who first must be taught.
It is just like those whom asked Jesus why He also used parables, and he said I use the parables because it actually brings a clearer understanding to those who do know, but to those who do not know, it keeps them absolutely in the dark.
Thus
after we have been indoctrinated, we then receive the exhortation. To hear the
exhortation before being indoctrination would be like hearing things that make
no sense to you at all.
Now, as we examine this exhortation that Paul is giving to those who have been taught, to those who already should know better, we see he uses the figurative expression, Awake thou that sleepest. Now, this is not an expression that would be used to those who are dead in sins and trespasses, but to those who actually know better but are sluggish in doing what they know to do and have been taught to do. Thus it is an exhortation to the virgins both wise and foolish to allow the Word to act Itself out in them. It is an exhortation to the people to allow the Word to quicken them to the reality of the presence of the Groom outside the church shouting, Come out of her my people and be not partaker or her plagues. It is the Word calling for an awakening, a coming alive, a getting ready for behold the bridegroom waiteth, come out to meet Him.
Parable #9) MATTHEW 25:6 And at
9 But the wise
answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves (Buy what? The
illuminated Word of the hour that’s those tapes). 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door
was shut.
(Now, what is the Door? It’s the Word of Got and it became shut to those who did not have illumination oil, in their lamp the Word. And Notice the Bride Groom was there, he was Present and they that did not have an illuminated Word so they could not see who was there. And why do you think people have put all there efforts into the tapes? Because they want to see Who is here.
They
don’t know who is here, and so they are going to the sellers to buy for
themselves the oil for their lamps, and these virgins were still pouring their
money into the tapes, trying to find out what it was all about., and he was
there and they that were into buying couldn’t see who it was. It was
Parable #10)
MATTHEW 22:1 ¶ And Jesus answered and spake unto them again
by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom
of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And
sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they
would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which
are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are]
killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made
light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his
merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them]
spitefully, and slew [them]. 7 But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth:
and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up
their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as
many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into
the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and
good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in
to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And
he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding
garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him
hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14
For many are called, but few [are] chosen. 15
It’s
later than we think. Therefore, Let’s bow our heads and hearts in prayer to
God, and let’s ask Him mercy while there is yet mercy to be had.