Spoken
Word no. 164
Espoused
as a chaste Virgin
Brian Kocourek, Pastor
May 19th,
2010
10 It's almost... it
shows it does that now even in the
denomination. It shows where it's at. Yes,
sir, you have to have it. And that's where it'll wind up at. That's my prediction, as a servant of
Christ through the understanding that I have of the Word and the inspiration;
that's where it'll come. All signs are pointing to the end. I just got
through speaking on that. And it's even to the unwise virgin has beginning to
cry out for oil. Now, remember, she was
a virgin, and if she's a virgin, she's a church. See, we'll get to that
this afternoon in Revelation 17. If she's a virgin, she's a church; 'cause the
church is a virgin. Paul said, "I
espouse you to Christ as a chaste virgin." The prostitute of
Revelation 17 was a church. John admired her because of her beauty, what she
was; she was a beautiful thing, but yet in her was found the blood of every
saint of Jesus Christ had been murdered in her. That's right.
This evening we
would like to speak again from The spoken word is the original Seed, the second
half if his sermon, and I would like to focus our attention on something Br.
Branham said in paragraph 10 where he is quoting the words of the Apostle Paul
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.
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
12 right after Paul speaks very forthright and bold, he then speaks of
humility. 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 evening is the words that brother Branham spoke to us
concerning Paul’s Word as our standing before God or being presented to 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 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 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 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.